Mary Bessie Barreras, 94, a resident of the Bent County HealthCare Center for the past four years, died there on Dec. 4, 2009.
She was born Sept. 30, 1915, in Cleveland, N.M., to Dionicio and Elena (Lujan) Arguello. Her parents moved the family of seven children by covered wagon to Las Animas when Bessie was a child. She married Raymond J. Barreras on Dec, 6, 1948.
She worked as a farm laborer, at Malouff’s grocery store, Fort Lyon Veterans Adminstration, Las Animas School District and SAGE. She retired from Columbian School where she worked in the cafeteria. She was a member of the Board of Directors for the Tri-Isle War on Poverty program, a member of Young Democrats and a state convention delegate, Colorado Democratic Party. She was a grant coordinator for the Texas-based Southwest Voter Registration Project to solicit voters in Bent and Otero Counties, an advocate for low-income families, a member of St. Mary’s Council of Catholic Women, president of Bent County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, officer and member of Bent County Nursing Home Board of Directors, and a caregiver and companion for the elderly. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Survivors include her husband, Raymond Barreras; three sons, Simon (Wanda) Cardenas of Lakewood, Ray Barreras of Denver, Carlos (Kris) Barreras of Fort Collins; two daughters, Rita Barreras (Fred Langille) of Maui, Hawaii, Doris Cody of Las Animas; grandchildren, Cris Cardenas (Jim Castagneri), Scott Cardenas (Jackie), Jennifer Workman ( Harry) Cara Barreras (Jason Ginther), Michael Langille, Heather Coffey, Robyn Franco (Rick), Randall Stwalley, Alexa, Joel and Rebecca Barreras; great-grandchildren, Cora, Andrew and Simon Castagneri, Alexis and Calli Ginther, Dylan Langille, Derrick, Lauryn and Austin Franco; one sister, Lucy Campos; sister-in-law, Josephine Arguello; brothers-in-law, Joe, Tony and Sam Barreras, several nieces, nephews and godchildren.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Simon Cardenas who was killed in action during World War II, her parents, a son, Joseph; siblings, Adel, Corita, Frank, Lee, and Raymond and a son-in-law, Ralph Cody Jr.
Rosary is at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9 with Mass of Commendation at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Ray Grimes officiating.
Pallbearers were Archie Martinez Jr., Bob Stwalley, Bob Samaniego, Tony Barreras, Sam Barreras and Stanley Dunlavy. Honorary pallbearers were Louis Ortiz, Max Ronquillo, Nathan Muniz, Godchildren and Bent County Healthcare Elders and Staff.
Burial will be in the Las Animas Cemetery with Horber Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.
Those wishing to do so may make memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, Colorado Chapter, 455 Sherman St., Suite 500 ,Denver, CO 80203 or the Bent County HealthCare Center (Elder Activities), 810 Third Street, Las Animas,CO 81054 direct or through the funeral home.
