Refugia "Cuca" Romero Padilla

August 13th, 1927 – September 27th 2013

In the early morning on September 27, 2013, Refugia “Cuca” Romero Padilla passed away of natural causes at her home in Tempe, Arizona. Cuca was 86 years old. She was a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Cuca was born at the home of her parents, Esther Fernandez Romero and Basilio Romero in “Turkeyshoot” Canyon, Miami, Arizona, the 5th child and 3rd daughter of their 11 children.

As a young girl in Turkeyshoot Canyon, Cuca quickly displayed her athletic ability by running track for the Bullion Plaza School. Growing up she also admired her brother Albert’s golfing skills and always harbored a desire to play the game herself. While at a school dance at Bullion Plaza, she met Humberto “Guero” Padilla who had just returned from the U.S. Army Air Corp. Soon they became engaged and married on July 12th, 1947 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Miami, Arizona. Cuca went on to work at Becerril’s Market as an Assistant Manager; the Marion Miami Federal Credit Union as well as teaching catechism to elementary children at St. Joseph’s chapel in Claypool for many years. Together with Guero and their children they shared a love of camping, especially at the White River, North Fork in the White Mountains in Northeast Arizona.

Cuca was preceded in death by her beloved husband Guero Padilla, her siblings Consuelo Saenz, Albert Romero, Adolfo Romero, Hortencia Altuna, Jesus Romero, and Jojo Romero. She is survived by her siblings Basilio Romero, Alfred Romero, Lupe Romero, Esther Evenson and her children and spouses, Diane and Victor Velasquez, Steven and Patricia Padilla, Robert and Barbara Padilla, Jerry and Elaine Padilla, George and Collette Padilla, Gina Padilla, Thomas and Johanna Padilla.

She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, Jason Padilla, Matthew Padilla, Brian Padilla, Allison Padilla, Brandon Padilla, Kyle Padilla, Jeremy Padilla, Emily Padilla, Max Sexton, Julia Padilla, Alicia Herron, Andrea Herron, Andrew Padilla, Michael Padilla, Steven Padilla and Alexa Padilla as well as 7 great grandchildren, Isabella Padilla, Ryan Brennan, Mackenzie Padilla, Luke Padilla, Barrett Padilla, Crew Padilla, Gabrielle Padilla and soon to be born Brody Padilla.

On Tuesday, October 1, a Rosary at 11:00 and the Funeral Mass to follow at 11:30 will be officiated by Father Thomas Hallsten at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Tempe, Arizona. Burial service will be in Miami, Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Miami, Arizona.