Rafaila Acosta

A much-loved wife, mother, sister, and aunt, Rafaila Acosta, age 78, of Keenesburg, passed away peacefully at 10:35 A.M. on Saturday, August 31, 2019, at Elms Haven Center in Thornton. She was born at home on October 24, 1940, in Sabinal, Texas to the late Trinidad and Santos Ybarra. She was 12 years old when she and her family moved to Fort Morgan, Colorado in April, 1952. The family then moved to Prospect Valley where she attended school. She was the oldest of six siblings - four sisters and one brother. She met Domingo Acosta in the summer of 1965 at the park in Keenesburg. They later married on February 17, 1968 at the Saint William’s Catholic Church in Fort Lupton. They were married 51 years. Rafie, as she was known by her family and friends, had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way. She had a big heart making numerous donations to organizations to help others in need. Although she was afflicted with crippling rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis for 20 plus years, she would get up daily with a positive attitude and from her chair she enjoyed coloring, working crossword puzzles, word finds, crocheting, writing in her journals, and watching her soap operas. She is survived by her husband, Domingo Acosta; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Jose Acosta of Thornton and Javier and Jeana Acosta of Amarillo, Texas; four sisters and their families, Dora Martinez (John) of Lochbuie, Lupe Ybarra (Sam Vega) of Keenesburg, Elodia Velasquez of Brighton, and Florence Ybarra of Denver. She is preceded in death by her parents, Trinidad and Santos Ybarra; her infant son, Jaime Acosta; and her brother, Mike Ybarra. Family, friends, and others whose lives Rafie touched are invited to celebrate her life at the American Legion Post 180, 595 Railroad Ave., Keenesburg, from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2019.