Ramona Padilla, age 68, joined our heavenly father Tuesday August 15, 2017. Ramona was born in Los Lunas, New Mexico and proud of it! Ramona was the 8th child of 10 born to Cliserio and Emilia (Tafoya) Padilla. She was born on February 28, 1949. Mona had started her family early in life. She had to drop out of high school. She prided herself by going back to high school in her early 20’s and getting her high school diploma from Albuquerque High School. She later attended beauty school. She obtained her cosmetology license and became a cosmologist. Mona had worn many hats in her life she was a daughter, a sister, a mother, a wife, a friend, a confidant, a counselor, a cosmetologist, a waitress, a bartender, a school bus driver and at home she was a handy woman. Mona had also owned her own beauty shop in Los Lunas where her and her cousin Rosie cut and styled many men and women’s hair. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, gardening and sharing Gods good word with anyone who would listen. Mona had retired (medically) from the Los Lunas School District as a School Bus Driver due an accident while on duty as a bus driver. She would say “luckily I had no children on board.” On August 15, 2017 Ms. Padilla joined her beloved son Frank “Nino” Serna, and many other family members including her parents Cliserio and Emilia, brother in laws Tommy, John, and Avilio, Sisters Avierla “Lela” (Chavez), and Mela Blea, brothers Cliserio (Jr), Trinidad (Trini), sister in law Sue, nephews Tommy Bustamante and Marty Padilla, and Lil cousin Gabriel Martinez. (If I forgot someone please do not be offended we have a very large family)
Mona is survived by sister Feliz Bustamante (Gallup, NM), sister Julia St John (Livermore, CA), sister in law Selena (Sally) (city unknown), sister Cecelia (Moralez) and husband Beora Heart (Elk Grove, CA), brother Pedro (Pete) and wife Judith (Judi)Padilla (Albuquerque, NM), brother Placido (Paul) wife Marlene Padilla (Albuquerque, NM), sister Irene Padilla (Albuquerque, NM) many nephews, niece’s and cousins who she loved dearly.
Mona’s children include her daughter Christina (Tina) and husband Joseph (Cougar) Lucero (Isleta, NM), son Vincent (Vince) and wife Maricruz (Mari) Serna (Los Lunas, NM), son Antonio Fernandez Jr. (Los Lunas, NM). Her grandchildren Antoinette Lucero (Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM), Vincent Serna (Albuquerque, NM), Joseph and wife Rachel Lucero (Isleta, NM), Maricruz Jovana (Serna) and husband Eddie Brandenburg (Los Lunas, NM), Julian Serna (Los Lunas, NM), Christopher Fernandez and girlfriend Rachelle Sanchez (Los Lunas, NM), Alexander Fernandez (Los Lunas, NM), Antonio Andres Fernandez (Albuquerque, NM), and great grandchildren (Antoinette) Kode and Katherine, (Joe) Carmen, (Maricruz Jovana) Aidan.
Mona’s pride and joy are her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Later in life she became a Raiders, Steelers and 49ers fan. When asked why so many teams she would reply “They are my boy’s teams!”
A rosary will be held at San Antonio Church 1551 Los Lentes Rd. (off North Los Lente’s and Trujillo Rd.) in Los Lunas, NM at 7pm August 24, 2017. Cremation has taken place. Visitation with family will be at 930 am. Services will be at 10 am. at Calvary New Harvest 701 Main St Los Lunas, NM.
A reception will immediately follow at Calvary New Harvest. The family would like to thank the staff of University of New Mexico Hospital for taking care of our mother. We would also like to thank the staff at Calvary New Harvest for opening their arms to our family in our time of need.