Rosa "Rose" Lascano Zapata, 99, a resident of Bayard, New Mexico, went to be with the Lord, Thursday, August 24, 2017. She passed peacefully surrounded by her family at the Silver City Care Center in Silver City, New Mexico. She had only been a resident there for the past five months.
She was born in Mogollon, New Mexico on January 5, 1918 to Francesca Lascano and Ysidoro Zapata.
She was the eldest of three children, with one sister and one brother. She was raised in Mogollon and Morenci, Arizona. She attended public school up until the eighth grade. At the age of eighteen, she married Carlos De La Garza and moved to Mexico City, Mexico. Her marriage ended after eleven years so she returned to the United States to her mother's home in Bayard, New Mexico. Eventually, she met a companion, Richard Morelos and began a life with him in Lordsburg, New Mexico and later in Monterrey, California. They returned to Silver City, but after about eleven years, she began a single life.
She had a couple of male friends, but stayed single. While she was in her late eighties, the "love of her life" as she called Richard, came back into her life. They stayed in communication and he visited her until his health began to fail and he passed in the summer of 2016.
In her adult life, she worked in a perfume shop in Mexico City, waitressed in the high-end restaurants in California, and locally worked at the Murray Hotel, The Ranch Club, Fred's Place and eventually worked for K-Mart until her retirement in the mid-1980's.
She was always dressed very nicely and loved to wear turquoise and coral jewelry. Her favorite color was red and it showed in her wardrobe and choice of wearing red lipstick.
She was a social butterfly who enjoyed life to the fullest. Her favorite thing to do was to go dancing. In her words, "I am an excellent dancer, that can dance any dance." She had many friends throughout her life that she made many memories with and left a lasting impression. She was very close to some families and was considered by one, their "Abuelita Rosita".
Although, as she aged, and began to lose her sight to glaucoma she was still able to live alone in a home adjacent to her brother. That was partly due to her family putting handles and railings on furniture, which she called "her grabbers", to help her get around the little house.
Besides her family, several close neighbors and friends were very vital to her well-being. She was a smoker up until a couple of months ago. As she put it, "I only take two or three puffs, then I put it out." But she didn't fool anyone, she smoked the whole cigarette.
She was always set in her ways, but her diet became very specific. It started about three years ago. It was the same food and drinks daily, with very few variations. A treat, in particular, the brand Red Bird Soft Peppermint mints, became a staple up until her death. At 99 years old, she could eat whatever she wanted.
She will be remembered and cherished in our hearts. Always.
She is survived by her brother, Narciso "Chicho" L. Avila of Bayard, her caregiver, niece Pamela Lovato (Gerald) of Hurley, and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, great-great nephews, great-great nieces. Also, a few of her dearest friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Josie A. Martinez, and sister-in-law, Isabel "Chavela" Avila.
Cremation has taken place at Terrazas Crematory. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777.
To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.