The Memorial Mass of the Resurrection for Lydia Barela, 52, of Portales, will be celebrated by Fr. Charles Ugochukwu at St. Helen Catholic Church at 10:00 A.M., Wed., Nov. 29, 2017. Burial of the cremated remains will follow in the Portales Cemetery. The Rosary will be recited on Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM, in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel by the Catholic Daughters.
Lydia Teresa Barela was born Oct. 28, 1965 in Portales, to the home of Aurelia (Velasquez) and Frank Barela, and died Nov. 22, 2017 in Portales. Lydia graduated from Portales High School in 1983. After finishing school, she was employed as a cook at several different restaurants, including Mark’s. During the time that there was a local Kentucky Fried Chicken, Lydia was the manager. She also had worked at the IGA Food Market, and was an Avon representative. For some time she was employed in home health through the Community Services Center.
Lydia was a very caring lady, and was constantly doing for others. She recently took loaves of her banana bread to all of the patients in the dialysis unit where she received treatment. Whenever she found out that someone was in need, Lydia was there to help with food, or whatever service she could offer. She was an outstanding cook, and her family and friends loved the baked goods and other dishes she prepared.
Until her sister’s death in 2005, the two women made their home together, and enjoyed cooking and doing craft projects together. Lydia always enjoyed watching the Food Network for new ideas and recipes. She kept up with family and friends on Facebook. She was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church.
She is survived by her aunts and uncles, Frances Pena, Gloria and Isidro Rivero, Anna Tarango, Mary Helen and Joe Rodriguez, Rosalee Velasquez, Mace and Jimmy Polk, Rudy and Libby Velasquez and Frank and Lydia Garcia; numerous cousins, including Melody Rodriguez, Marcos Velasquez, Santos Ramirez, Lucas Ramirez and Malisa “Annie” Pacheco; her God-children, Kendra Garcia, Dominga Carrasco, Lacey Stephens and Chris Velasquez; as well as countless other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Carol Barela.
