Irma Leslie Serafin

Irma Leslie Velarde Serafin, 69, of Dulce, N.M., passed away Sunday, April 30, 2017, in her home in Dulce, NM, and was surrounded by her family. She was born February 22, 1948, to Lisalia and Louis S. Velarde. Irma was born and raised in the Hillcrest area. She stayed in the dorm during her grade school years and graduated from Dulce High School in 1967. After graduating, she attended one year of business school at ABC Business School in Albuquerque. She returned to Dulce and married Nelvin Serafin in March of 1969 in which they were together for 48 years. She worked for the Jicarilla Apache Nation for over 30 years and recently retired. Her family was very involved in raising livestock and she loved being out on the ranch, camping out and cooking over an open fire. She was an avid country/western music fan with her favorite country star being George Strait and every chance she had; she would travel to attend one of his concerts. She was very knowledgeable of the Jicarilla culture ways and traditional food. She looked forward to picking pinon, picking chokecherries, drying deer meat, making tortillas over the campfire and cooking atole. Each year, she moved her RV out to Go-jii-ya making sure there was room for everyone. Her grandkids were her world, and she always made sure they were taken care of. She was loved by her family, and we always knew we could count on her to show up as our mother, our auntie or our grandmother whether it was a surgery, a feast, birthday wishes, or family events. She will be deeply missed. Irma was preceded in death by four brothers; and four sisters. She is survived by her husband, Nelvin; three children, Darren Serafin, Verena Serafin and Sherwin "Skip" Serafin; grandchildren, three boys and five girls. Her grandchildren lovingly called her Gram-B and she was well known for traditionally assuming the role as "Mom" to her numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother, Thurman Velarde, his wife, Jolene and their daughters. A graveside service for Irma will be at 9:30 a.m. today, May 3 at the Hillcrest family cemetery in Dulce with Roland Bradford officiating the service. Pallbearers are Darren Serafin, Sherwin Serafin, Scott Atole, Alfred Redwine, Danny Sylvester, Felix Serafin, Adrian Tafoya and Bruce W. Klinekole, IV. Honorary pallbearers are Thurman Velarde, Matthew Atole, Nathaniel Dedios, Lionel Velarde, James Willis Jr., Gerald Hart, Wayne Lahi, Wilbur Woodis, Eugene Gonzales and Bruce W. Klinekole II. Irma's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, 505-325-8688. Those who wish to express their condolences may do so at www.serenityandcompany.com