Dora Esperanza Romero Chavez

Dora E. Romero Chávez, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, great- aunt, godmother, cousin and friend, was called home to be with the Lord on January 7, 2026, at the age of 86.

Dora was born on April 26, 1939, in El Salvador, in Central America. She was one of nine children raised in a humble household full of family values, and rich of devotion to their Catholic faith. Those early foundations shaped the remarkable woman she would become.

She began her working life as a custodial worker at a hospital in San Miguel, El Salvador. It was there that she discovered her calling to nursing. Determined to pursue her dream, she came to the United States in the mid-1960s to work and save money for nursing school. Dora also felt a calling to religious life and joined a convent in Esquipulas, Guatemala. After committing as a novice, health challenges prevented her from continuing her journey in the religious order.

Dora returned to El Salvador, where she met the love of her life, Eduardo Romero. After only a few months of dating, they married in 1971, purchased their first home, and began building a life together. Dora became a devoted mother to three daughters: Patricia (1972), Olivia (1975), and Blanca (1977).

Through perseverance and unwavering dedication, Dora achieved her dream of becoming a nurse and served her local community hospital with compassion and excellence. In 1985, amid the turmoil and uncertainty of the Salvadoran civil war, Dora and Eduardo made the difficult decision to leave their homeland in search of safety and opportunity for their family.

On Thanksgiving Day in 1985, they boarded a plane to New York, beginning a new chapter filled with courage and hope. They settled in Hempstead, New York, where Dora worked tirelessly for over 20 years. Through sacrifice and determination, Dora and Eduardo achieved the American dream, purchasing a home and providing their daughters with opportunities they had once only imagined.

After retiring, Dora and Eduardo later moved to Richmond, Virginia, to be closer to their daughters and growing family. In recent years, Dora divided her time between Richmond and El Salvador, where she and Eduardo had built a home in the countryside where she was raised. She cherished returning to her roots and escaping the winter cold by spending time in her beloved homeland.

Dora suffered the loss of her husband, Eduardo Romero, who passed away from cancer on June 21, 2013. In her later years, she was lovingly cared for by her daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren, extended family and even neighbors. It truly took a village to support her as her health declined, and she was surrounded by unwavering love.

Dora’s life is a testament to resilience, faith, and determination. She overcame adversity with grace and strength. From humble beginnings, she built a life defined by service, sacrifice, and devotion to family. Her deep faith in God and commitment to the Catholic Church remained central to her life.

She leaves behind a loving legacy in her three daughters and their spouses: Patricia Saravia & Leonel Saravia, Olivia Lainez & Freddy Lainez, Blanca Velasquez-Romero & Milton Velasquez; she is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Freddie Lainez, Miguel Romero Saravia, Gabriella Saravia, Andrea Lainez, Milton Velasquez Jr., Diego Lainez, and Daniel Saravia. Dora was blessed to meet several of her great-grandchildren, Jowel Sandoval, Maleah Lainez, Mateo Romero, Elianna Garcia, Layla Romero, and Emiliano Garcia.

She was deeply loved and respected by her surviving siblings, extended family, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her story is one of courage, faith, sacrifice, and unconditional love.

Dora truly embodied the strength of a woman who rose from humble beginnings to create a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Her life was a blessing. Her memory will be a treasure. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.