Romelia Carrillo

March 31, 1939 - February 12, 2026

Romelia Carrillo was born on March 31, 1939, in El Paso, Texas to Josefina (Serna) and Jose Dolores Carrillo. From an early age, she developed a deep and abiding faith. Many of her childhood memories centered around her Catholic upbringing, including church activities and adventures with her siblings involving priests and nuns. This foundational faith shaped her identity and guided her throughout her life. She spoke often about the importance of keeping Jesus at the center of our lives, and it is evident that the challenges and hardships she endured were overcome because she walked with Him.

God placed a gift for art in Romelia. As a young girl, she showed a natural talent for painting. In her early adult years, she refined her skills in oils and sketching before discovering her love for acrylics. Art was not simply a hobby; it was how she expressed her resilience, the beauty she saw in nature, and a reflection of the faith that sustained her. Art remained a consistent thread throughout her life. She found creativity everywhere and even transformed discarded items into something beautiful. Art became one of the many ways she gave of herself, whether through a handmade birthday or anniversary card, a carefully crafted gift, or teaching others how to create. Her art was meant to be shared.

In the summer of 1976, with encouragement from her daughters Dolores and Dorothy, she moved to Denver. There she re-met and married her beloved husband, Jose Celso Epimenio Carrillo. She once wrote proudly, “I have a wonderful and united family and a very good husband. He picked me up with all my kids and he raised them.” Together they built a home rooted in faith, unity, and unconditional love.

When Romelia lost her husband in 2009, she courageously stepped into a new season of life. She joined a group of widows and formed dear friendships filled with shared faith, service, and companionship. She was always ready for an adventure and new experiences, embracing each season of life with curiosity and gratitude. She went on day trips, served, and of course taught her new friends how to paint.

Romelia also taught all her descendants art at one time or another and remained open and willing to learn from others as well. Even later in life, she learned how to text so she could greet her family with emojis every morning and every night. Those messages along with the calm and steady care she carried in her presence will be missed.

Romelia walked with God all her life, through mountaintops and valleys alike. She was often smiling and found meaningful ways to care for those around her. She was a selfless mother, talented artist, faithful friend, devoted neighbor, teacher, and servant of God to her family and community. She enjoyed puzzles, arts and crafts, spending time with her friends, and attending every family activity. Nothing brought her greater joy than seeing her family together.

Romelia’s proudest accomplishments were found in service. She taught arts and crafts to many children at Stapleton Recreation Center and faithfully taught Catechism for over 25 years at

Holy Rosary Catholic Church. She volunteered her time collecting stories to preserve the history of Globeville and served on numerous committees advocating for the community she loved.

On February 12, 2026, surrounded by the family she created and cultivated, Romelia took her last breath here on earth and went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ.

She is survived by her children: Dolores Hernandez (Fernando), Dorothy Aguirre (Andres), Lewis Campbell (Sophia), Carlos, Alberto Carrillo (Amy), Christobal Carrillo, Josefina Hernandez (Anthony), Demetrio Carrillo, and Ernestina Gallegos (Frank); her grandchildren: Jeremy (Tasha) Childres, Andrea Aguirre, Linda Lopez (Robert), Andres Aguirre, Matthew Carter (Lizeth), Alicia Giebitz, Steven Hernandez, Adriane Aguirre, Kailani Campbell, Anthony Campbell (Holly), Nathaniel Hernandez (Ellainne), Dulce Hernandez, Damari Green, Christabel Carrillo, Irene Hernandez, Lewis Jayden Campbell, Genoveva Hernandez, Demetrio A. Carrillo,

Addison Carrillo, Ava Carrillo, Romelia Gallegos, and Geneva Gallegos; her beloved 30 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren; her brothers: Raymundo Carrillo and Tomas Carrillo; her sister-in-law: Betty Carrillo; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends who carry forward her legacy of faith, creativity, and strength.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jose Celso Epimenio Carrillo; her parents, Jose Dolores and Josefina Carrillo; her siblings Josefina Gallegos (Eduardo), Maria Del Rayo Garcia

(Pedro), Jose Dolores Carrillo (Carmen), Maria Concepcion Carrillo, Rogelio Carrillo, Ramon Castillo; her daughter in law, Tricia (Sena) Carrillo and several cherished nieces and nephews.

Romelia leaves behind not only generations of family, but a testimony of steadfast faith and noble love.

“Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also praises her:

‘Many women have done noble deeds,

but you surpass them all.’

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,

but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

Give her the reward of her labor,

and let her works praise her at the city gates.”

Proverbs 31:28–31

Her works praise her still.

A visitation will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, located at 4688 Pearl St, Denver, CO 80216, on February 26, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Following the visitation, a rosary will take place at the same venue from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

The funeral mass is scheduled for February 27, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish, 11385 Grant Dr, Northglenn, CO 80233.

A committal service will be conducted on February 27, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, 10201 Grant St, Thornton, CO 80229.