Ophelia Enriquez

Ophelia M. Enriquez, 85, died Thursday, December 15, 2011, in Durango of natural causes. Mrs. Enriquez was born September 19, 1926, in Rosa, N.M., the daughter of Juan and Isabel Martinez.

Ophelia married Felipe Enriquez on October 8, 1943, in Rosa, N.M. They were married for 68 years. They lived in Durango until 1984 when they moved to Ignacio.

Mrs. Enriquez loved to cook, bake and sew. She made the best yeast bread rolls in the land. Even if her dinner table was full, she always made sure to make room for more. She was a very active member of the Catholic Church and was also a member of the Carmelitas at St. Ignatius Church in Ignacio, Colorado. Her family remembers her as a very strong woman who strived to keep family together and tradition alive.

Mrs. Enriquez is preceded in death by two sons, Eugene Enriquez of Durango and Phillip Enriquez, II of Flora Vista, New Mexico; daughter Kathryn Barela of Ignacio; granddaughter Brittany Enriquez and great granddaughter, Dannie Marie Lucero.

She is survived by her husband Felipe Enriquez of Ignacio, sons Robert Enriquez of Grand Bay, Ala., and Donald Enriquez of Durango, daughters Grace Rodriguez and Bernadette Lopez both of Durango; Inez Ribera of Corvallis, Ore.; sister Adonalia Mascarenas of Farmington, N.M.; brother Albert Martinez of Hanford, Calif., 20 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews

Recitation of the Rosary will be held Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at 6 pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Durango. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, December 21, 2011, at 10 am. Father Larry Gallegos will be the celebrant. Interment will follow at Greenmount Cemetery.