Mercedes Atencio joined her husband Willie on February 28, 2019. Mercedes was born on December 15, 1929 to Adonais and Josefina Padilla of Lobatos, Colorado. She married Willie Atencio Jr. October 27, 1947. She was a member of Our Lady of Fatima and the Madres Cristianas of Antonito, Colorado.

She enjoyed doing word search puzzles, cooking, watching Family Feud, morning Mass and afternoon Rosaries. Her greatest joy was working with children. She worked 18 years for South Conejos RE-10 School District and they for Holy Apostles Catholic Church Nursery from September 2001 until January 2015 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She moved to Colorado Springs in October 2000 with her son A.J. She is preceded in death by her husband Willie Atencio Jr., one son Anthony, parents Adonais  and Josefina Padilla, brothers Paul, Edward and infant Antonio; sisters Adelia Martinez, Gloria Chavez, Frieda Romero; daughter-in-law Lorraine Espinoza; great-grandson Jimmy T. Atencio; father and mother-in-law Willie and Cordelia Atencio.

Mercedes is survived by her sons Jimmy P. Atencio of Alamosa, CO; A.J. Atencio of Colorado Springs, CO; daughters Louella (John) Maestas of Antonito, CO; Debra and Myra Atencio of Alamosa, CO; grandchildren Tara Maestas of Antonito, CO; Manuel Atencio (Desere Romero) of Alamosa, CO; Dawn Atencio (Matthew Casias) of Alamosa, CO; Augustine Sanchez (Arlyssa Watts) of Denver, CO; great-grandchildren Brianna, Andres, and Isabella Atencio, Marieka Moreno (Chris Aguirre), Alysia and Jesus Moreno, Nickolas and MilaLyn Casias, great-great-grandchildren Luke Atencio,Damon, Ava and Aria Aguirre, sisters-in-laws Alice (Robert) Espinoza, Lucy Atencio, Frieda Aldereta, Evelyn Ortiz, Gloria Chacon and Martha (Alfonso) Abeyta.

Cremation was chosen and a Vigil Service with Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Friday, April 12, 2019 at 7:00 PM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Conejos. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 10:00 AM also at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Conejos. Inurnment will follow at the Ortiz Cemetery. To leave online condolences please visit romeroufuneralhomes.com. The care of arrangements have been entrusted to Romero Funeral Home of Antonito.