Isela R. Redman

Isela Romero Redman December 5, 1926 – September 23, 2007 After 80 years as a resident of El Paso, one of God’s finest has moved on to a realm more suited to her angelic personality. Isela Catalina Romero Redman died peacefully Sunday night. She was 39. Also known as Liti, Mom, Chulis, and Mrs. R., Isela was the younger child of Luis and Catalina Martin Romero. A 1944 graduate of El Paso High, she obtained a B.S. in biology from what was then called the Texas College of Mines. In 1948 she became certified at TCU as a medical technologist, pursuing a field also served by her mother, a medical secretary, and her maternal grandmother, a midwife. Her caregiving extended beyond her job; she went on to nurse her husband, her parents, her sister, her in-laws, and her youngest son through debilitating illnesses. Over the years she opened not just her heart but also her home to people young and old as well as a variety of loyal if challenging cats and dogs. Isela was a fabulous dancer who could make any man look like Fred Astaire. She had a great sense of humor and told innumerable funny stories on herself, such as her ongoing adventures with the snakes, scorpions, and centipedes that ventured in from her back yard (which was—for 42 years—a broad and pristinely beautiful arroyo). She was also a real looker. When she met her future spouse, Robert E. Redman, his first words to her were, “You fascinate me.” She had a solid faith and an iron will. After receiving a diagnosis of terminal liver cancer on August 31, she accepted the inevitable with a gentle dignity and a quiet resignation. She firmly rejected the idea of heroic but futile treatments, and said only that she hoped to go quickly, in her own home, without pain and with loved ones around her. Twenty-three days later, she got her wish. She is survived by her children Robert E. Redman, Jr., of Durango, Colorado; Patrick D. Redman of Austin; and Kati Timmons and husband, David, also of Austin. Her grandchildren include Sam Redman of Durango, Philip Redman of Chicago, and Joseph Timmons of Austin. Other grieving relatives include Leny, Alex, Ale, and Carlos Jarquín of El Paso; Reyna Bremer of Uruapan, Mexico; Tere Trueba of Mexico City; and Manuel, Roberto, Juan Paulo, and Felipe (Pato) Bremer, also of Mexico City. Honorary siblings include Jean and Robert Frias of Arlington and a group of friends whom she had known since childhood and affectionately called “the Golden Brown Girls.” Right now Isela is enjoying a reunion with many people she cherished, including her husband, Bob Redman; her son Micky Redman; her sister, Rose Romero Bremer; her nephew Louie Bremer; and two grandchildren, Parker Redman, who died March 31, and an infant boy who died shortly after birth in 1977. One of her final requests was that mourners, in lieu of sending flowers, donate to the Parker Redman Memorial Fund, c/o Rice University Development Office—MS 81, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251. Visitation will take place Thursday, September 27, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., with Rosary at 7:00. Location is Sunset Funeral Home West, 480 N. Resler. Mass will be held at St. Matthew’s, 400 W. Sunset, on Friday, September 28, at 10:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome, and remember: The guest of honor never objected to casual and colorful attire. We love you, Liti. Life without you will be hard. We know you’re watching over us, though, so we’ll make it through. But--oh, mee-hee!