Michelle Rae Romero of Apache Junction, Arizona, was born on December 20, 1970 in Farmington New Mexico. She passed away on Wednesday September 27, 2017 in Scottsdale, Arizona at the age of 46.
Michelle, Shelly, Shell, Lelly, Sis, or Tweety as she was often known was placed in a big red Christmas stocking after birth and arrived in her first home in Naschitti, New Mexico on Christmas Eve to meet her older brother and four sisters.
The family moved to Tohlakai, NM 1977 where her father was called as a missionary pastor. She attended Twin Lakes Elementary for her first year of school. She then attended Rehoboth Christian School where she graduated in 1989.
That same year she married Jay Katz and moved to Albuquerque, NM.
in 1997 she Married George Romero. They were blessed with two children, Ryan and Kyla.
In 2006 she moved from Albuquerque to Arizona and began caring for her father in Mesa.
Employed by Rise Services since 2006 and later by Rescare Homecare as a support professional, she was loved dearly by those she took care of in her workplace. She often went above the requirements to meet individual needs of those she was caring for. Serving others was her calling.
These acts of service were often done humbly and known only by the individuals she was helping. Shelly was known by many through her smile and caring nature as she helped them through rough times. Her giving continues through the lifesaving gifts of organ donations made to many with her passing. As a child of God, Shelly lives on in eternity, through the salvation and grace of her Lord, Jesus Christ.
She is survived by her children Ryan and Kyla Romero, her father Mike Harberts, her brother Mark Harberts, sister-in-law Deb Harberts, nephews Brad and Dan, sister Pam Franklin, brother-in-law Mike Franklin, nephews Jason and Marcus, her sister Jackie Dallago, nieces Tina, Felecia, and Jennifer, her sister Judi Cornejo, nephews Micah, Aaron, Jerrod, niece Jeannie, sister Cindy Gerrish, brother-in-law Paul Gerrish, nieces Heidi and Julie and nephew Stephen. She also had six great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Cubby Harberts.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, 2:00pm, September 30, 2017 at Church of the Master (Presbyterian) 6659 E University Dr. Mesa, AZ 85205. A reception will follow.
Memorial contributions in Shelly’s memory can be made at Riseservicesinc.org
Prayers for peace and comfort. Know that your wonderful family is surrounded by love.
Though I only meet you a couple times, you touched my life in so many ways. Your friendly nature and caring ways spoke volumes to me. You will be missed.
My Shell Bell.. how I will miss you! No more silly FB posts, no goofy jokes, no more silly outbursts of laughter. ? love you Shell!
Shelly was a person who could brighten up a room with just a smile I will miss her but i am happy for her in that she is now home with her mother again
I’m still in the cannot believe it mode! The Harberts were incredibly kind to my family back home in TohLakia. Shelly had a smile and a distinctive laugh. The hugs she gave were sincere just like her words to those who came to embrace that part of her life.
I will miss her and I know, I will see her and her mom again. ?
Love you Shelly… I will miss you.
Shelly will be greatly missed❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I am so sorry for your loss. May God give you comfort and strength during this time.
I am so lost for words. I have know Michelle for years. And so has my family then I had the pleasure of working with her. She would stay late so we could have coffee together and just talk about life. She always have a big smile on her face. I will always have a special place in my heart for her. Love ya kiddo
We grieve with you. We will keep the whole family in our prayers. May the Lord give you peace and comfort
Dear, dear Shelly, we will miss you so on our visits to see your family in the Spring! God must have needed a very special Angel in heaven!
Oh,Shelly, your passing still feels so unreal. What an emptiness your passing will leave in so many hearts and lives. May God surround all family and many friends with the comfort only God can give. God bless this dear family as they mourn ???. Auntie Kathy
Sorry we couldn’t make it to the memorial. We would love to have been there. We love you guys and will certainly miss Shelly. Let us know if we can do anything.
She was such a sweet young lady I remember her being really shy went to church with her and her entire family. Will be praying for your entire family.
We went to school together at Rehoboth. We never talked until 5 years ago when we became friends on Facebook. We had a few conversations and one I will never forget. It rained today and I viewed it as tears. You were my friend and I will miss you.
Very saddened to hear about Michelle, who my husband and I lovingly referred to as Cupcake. We met Michelle at The American Legion, Post 2 in Tempe, AZ and immediately fell in love with her beautiful smile, warm & caring heart. It’s been a while since we have been in touch, which makes this news even harder. Prayers of healing & comfort for her family – truly an Angel has earned her wings.
Im so sorry that any family has to go thru this, and I am sending healing light & love to all of you. May god find a way to comfort each & every one of you. ♡♡♡ she now a guardian angel to all she loved ♡♡♡ Michelle meant so muh to more people than you can imagine im sure she had told some of you she belonged to a dementia awarness group, there are over 10 thousand people in this group and she touched almost every single one of the members in the group. She was a caring and loving woman with a heart as big as a house. She did alot here on this earth in her short time….she will be missed but always loved & remembered by many. Rest well my sweet friend ♡♡♡
Dear sweet Michelle, you will be greatly missed. Your personality and kindness and most of all your compassion for doing what you loved to do. I am glad I got a chance to meet you. The group home will miss your sweet face. God had another plan for you. God bless you and your family. Love you always Diane Hermosillo and Jaelynne Schauman.
Sweet lady and a great human. You are gone to soon. Prayers to her family.
Shell, I will miss your smile, your laugh, us being silly and just you! You were such a ray of sunshine that brightened so many lives. I will remember you always. Prayers for the whole family. With deepest sympathy and peaceful wishes now and always.
I have such fond memories of Shell visiting Cindy and the rest of us in Albuquerque when we lived there. Her laugh was contagious and she was so fun! Prayers to all the Harberts! You have my deepest sympathy!
Condolences from entire family in Naschitti….Sandovals