Newest Obituaries
JOHN R. VIGIL Age 56 of Espanola --
, NM was called home to the Lord on April 14, 2013. He is survived by his wife Mary Jo; his children Jonathan (Abby), Jolyne (Jay), Eric (Sarah) and Jessie Calabaza; four grandchildren he adored; Lorenzo, Annjolie, Graciella and Jonathan; parents Mary and Raymond Vigil, siblings Anthony (Liz), Ray Jr. (Laura), Bertha Sandoval (Tony), and Debbie Sandoval (Henry); many other family members and friends. John served in the Marine Corps and retired from the Army National Guard and from government public service. John had an impact on everyone he met and truly enjoyed life. He had a special relationship with his nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. Recitation of the Rosary will be on Tuesday April 16, 2013 at 7 p.m. in the chapel of Rivera Family Funeral Home in Espanola. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Espanola, with interment at The Santa Fe National Cemetery at 12:45 a.m., with military honors. Serving as pallbearers are Dave Gonzales, Phil Garcia, Mark Gonzales, Gabe Grace, Jessie Maes and Joe Maes. Honorary pallbearers are Joseph Baros, Henry Sandoval, Chris Ortega and Alfred Trujillo. Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home (505) 753-2288. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com
Published on: Tue April 16, 2013
MELANIE ANN BRUNNER Of Tesuque --
, NM passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2013 after many years of bravely fighting a neurological illness under the care of her loving husband, J. Terrence Brunner. She was born in Chicago, IL, to Francis and Cecilia Marley. The family moved to Indianapolis, IN where she graduated from St. Agnes's Academy. She went on to graduate from Averett College in Danville, VA and became a flight attendant for Delta Airlines. While she was with Delta, she met and married Terry, and they celebrated their 47th anniversary together last December. She lived in Winnetka for 30 years with her husband, Jules Terrence Brunner, Executive Director of the Better Government Association. Melanie loved to travel, and in 1986, after years at home being a wonderful mother, started an almost 20 year career as a manager and travel agent with the Travel 100 group in Winnetka, IL. She was active in the Junior League of Chicago as an Art Docent in the Chicago Public Schools. She enjoyed working with the Brookefield Zoo as a Women's Board member. She was preceded in death by her father, Francis; mother, Cecilia; step-mother, Margaret and sster, Cynthia. She is survived by her loving and caring husband, J. Terrence Brunner of Santa Fe, NM; her children Mark, Terry, Brooke, and five wonderful grandchildren: Alex, Caroline, Audrey, Bennett and Marlo. A memorial service will be held at San Isidro Mission Church In Tesuque on May 4, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Cure PSP Foundation 11350 McCormick Road, Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031.
Published on: Sun April 07, 2013
ALINA BOURGER Ms. Alina Bourger --
, age 21 of Las Cruces, NM. Died as a result of an automobile accident on Wednesday March 27, 2013. She was attending college in Arizona with ambition, hopes and dreams, and was a beautiful and talented young lady. Her family and friends are profoundly saddened over the news of her passing, and will always hold her close in their hearts. Ms. Bourger was preceded in death by her dear mother, Doreen Bourger, on September 16, 2008. She is survived by father, Fred Bourger; beloved sisters, Hillary and Danielle Bourger, all of Las Cruces; grandparents, David and Sylvia Salazar of Espanola; and Charles and Stella Bourger of Las Cruces; many loving relatives and many close friends. All funeral arrangements will take place in Las Cruces. Visitation for Alina will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at Immaculate Heart Of Mary Catholic Church, 1240 South Espina St., beginning at 6 p.m., a prayer vigil to follow at 7 p.m. Funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at Immaculate Heart Of Mary, to begin at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 5140 W Picacho Ave. To send condolences go to www.lapaz-grahams.com and www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com
Published on: Tue April 02, 2013
ALINA BOURGER Age 21 of Las Cruces --
, NM. died as a result of an automobile accident on Wednesday March 27, 2013. She was attending college in Arizona with ambition, hopes and dreams, and was a beautiful and talented young lady. Her family and friends are profoundly saddened over the news of her passing, and will always hold her close in their hearts. Ms. Bourger was preceded in death by her dear mother Doreen Bourger, on September 16, 2008. She is survived by father Fred Bourger, beloved sisters, Hillary and Danielle Bourger, all of Las Cruces, grandparents David and Sylvia Salazar of Espanola, and Charles and Stella Bourger of Las Cruces, many loving relatives and many close friends. All funeral arrangements are pending, and will take place in Las Cruces. Rivera Family Funeral Home of Espanola (505) 753-2288
Published on: Sat March 30, 2013
MARY ALICE SANCHEZ Age 74 passed away peacefully with her family by her side on March 14 --
, 2013. She was preceded in death by Mark, Mathew, and Susan. Mary is survived by Michael, Michelle, Marlene, Serina, Celeste, Stephanie, Jolene, Jacklyn, Mary, Markette, and many family and friends. Mary was an amazing woman who dedicated her life to her family. Rosary is to be held at St. Bernadette's in Albuquerque, NM on March 26, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. Mass will be held at St. Anne's in Santa Fe, NM on April 1, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. with burial to follow. Donations can be made at Wells Fargo Bank to the Mary Alice Sanchez Memorial.
Published on: Fri March 22, 2013
ELAINE TERESA DOYLE STRATTON Age 83 --
, passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at the family home in Los Alamos, NM from complications of leukemia. She was born March 23, 1929, to Colonel Hugh and Gertrude Mayr Doyle in Fort Totten, NY. Her father was later transferred to Fort Hamilton, NY, and she called Brooklyn home until, at the age of 20, she came to Los Alamos from Oswego State Teachers College (NY) to teach primary grades in the Los Alamos public schools. She later earned a Masters in Education from New York University. She met her husband, Thomas, in Los Alamos; they married in Oxford, England in 1958. Elaine cultivated a lifelong interest in education, her church and current events. She was a wonderful friend and will be greatly missed. Elaine is survived by her husband, Thomas; daughter, Carol and son-in-law, Robert Chambers; daughter, Jean; brother, James Doyle; and nieces and nephews. The family thanks the Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service, A Nurse in the Family, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, for her care. A rosary will be recited on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos with a memorial mass to be conducted by Father John Carney at 11:00 a.m. Burial to follow at the Guaje Pines Cemetery in Los Alamos. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church or the Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service. The family of Elaine Teresa Doyle Stratton has entrusted their loved one to: DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espaola Valley. 505-747-7477/www.devargasfuneral.com
Published on: Fri March 08, 2013
KAREN GRICE COWLES A graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Fine Arts --
, Karen was an enthusiastic outdoor adventurer and a skilled and inventive craftsman. In the warm months she surrounded her home with colorful gardens she designed and built by hand, and in the winters she taught first time skiers with patience and unwavering support. Karen was always busy with numerous creative projects; painting fine watercolors, sewing warm winter hats, or baking her famous Spritz cookies at Christmastime. Despite a long illness, which eventually took her life on March First, she and her husband Richard Cowles celebrated fifty years of marriage this past June. A devoted, thoughtful and generous mother, she raised two children; Morgan Cowles, who predeceased her, and Sarah Cowles who is currently a Fulbright Scholar in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia. She is the daughter of John and Virginia Grice of Crystal Lake, IL, who predeceased her, as did her brother David Grice of Peoria, IL, and her sister Patience Grice Waddilove of Dorset, England. Surviving her is her best friend and sister Ann Grice Hunter of Santa Fe and her children Allyson Hunter of Evanston, IL, and Santa Fe and Andrew Hunter of Chicago. Services are private. Karen's wish was for donations in her memory to be made to the PMS Hospice Center, 1400 Chama Ave., Santa Fe, NM 87505.
Published on: Sun March 03, 2013
NEWBY GENE ELLINGTON Age 79 --
, of Los Alamos, NM, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 after a long and difficult battle with cancer. He spent his last weeks, days and hours in the loving embrace of his wife Susan, his children and grandchildren. Newby was the third child born to John Robert "Uncle Bob" Ellington and Martra Leila Ellington. He was born on September 29, 1933 and raised in Saxapahaw, North Carolina. He graduated from Eli Whitney High School in Alamance County, and has a large and loving extended family. Newby joined the U.S. Navy in 1953 and supported the nuclear weapons development program while stationed at Los Alamos and in the South Pacific. He met Flossie Martinez Ellington at Fuller Lodge and they married in 1957. They moved to Espanola, built a home with their own hands and raised their family. Newby continued to work in Los Alamos building a successful career for the next 40 years, eventually rising to the office of Deputy Division Leader. He earned the admiration and respect of his many coworkers. He loved the home and oasis he and Flossie built and nurtured in Espanola and anyone who saw it could tell. Many people think of irrigating as a chore - he viewed it as a great pleasure; Newby deeply loved tending the soil, planting flowers and watching the trees bloom and bear fruit. Flossie passed away on March 1, 1989. Newby was fortunate to enjoy a new life with Susan, and together they built a new home overlooking the canyons that surround Los Alamos. Over their 21 year marriage, they enjoyed many wonderful and scenic trips throughout the United States. Newby was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and UNM Lobo basketball. He also loved hiking with his friends and daughter, Yvonne. Newby selflessly donated copious amounts of his time to The Habitat for Humanity and to LANL after his retirement. He was an Area Director for the Retired Public Employees Association of California and a proud Director for the Acequias de Herrera. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mattie Lou, brother-in-law Joe Guthrie, and his brother John Harold Ellington. Surviving members of the family include Newby's sister-in-law, Hazel Ellington, brother-in-law, Joe Martinez and his wife Helen, sister-in-law, Generita Cassel, son A. James Ellington, and his wife Virginia, grandson Mark and Alisha Ellington, great grandchildren, Haven and Anthony, and granddaughter Amber; his son T. Glenn Ellington his wife Kathrin Kinzer-Ellington, grandchildren Taylor, Layton and Alyx; daughter S. Yvonne Ellington; and, Jeff and Lorraine Kinzer and son Wyatt. The family wishes to thank Drs. Lindberg, Goddard, and Matthews, the excellent nurses from Visiting Nurses and Critical Nursing Staffing, and Loretta Valerio from the Dept. of Labor for their deep concern and caring. Newby said, "I've had a good life, blessed with a wonderful family and good friends. Grieve for me, as I know you will, but don't let it consume you. Get on with your lives and remember the good times we've had together." Public visitation will be held on Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory with a wake service to follow at 5:00 p.m. Burial will be held on Monday, March 4, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers: Joe Martinez, David Gallegos, Don Bryson, Tom Hargrove, Mark Ellington, Taylor Ellington, Layton Ellington, Jeff Kinzer; honorary pallbearers: Amber Jean Ellington, Alyx Ellington, Haven Ellington, Anthony Ellington and Wyatt Kinzer. In lieu of flowers, Newby requested that donations be sent to the Wounded Warriors Program. The family of Newby Gene Ellington have entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espaola Valley. 505-747-7477 or www.devargasfuneral.com
Published on: Sun March 03, 2013
GEORGE R. HAWTHORNE Passed away Tuesday --
, February 26, 2013 at age 95. He was born in Coshocton, Ohio on February 1, 1918, to Carl Henderson Hawthorne II and Gladys (Boetcher) Hawthorne. He had a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from Ohio State University. George retired from the United States Army Corp of Engineers. He worked for Sandia Base after World War II where he met his wife, Donelle Carson. George was assigned to the Manhattan Project to build Los Alamos for the Los Alamos National Laboratories. George also worked at the National Guard Training Center teaching Army officers. He worked in Civil Engineering for the Zia Company in Los Alamos, for Bill Turney & Associates Engineering Firm in Santa Fe, and the New Mexico Highway Department. Once he retired from the military, he operated the Kings Rest Court motel in Santa Fe for 15 years. George is best known by his nickname "The Colonel". He was preceded in death by his wife Donelle, their daughter Janet, granddaughter Sage and grandson Stuart. George is survived by his children Joyce Ziesenis and husband Greg, Judith Hawthorne, Robert Hawthorne and wife Angela and David Hawthorne; grandchildren Samantha, Laurinda, Adam, Kelley, Candace and Kristina and 6 great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by numerous friends, relatives and all that knew and loved him. A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Fairview Memorial Park, 700 Yale Blvd., Albuquerque, New Mexico. To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.comDaniels Family Funeral Services, 1100 Coal Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 505-842-8800
Published on: Fri March 01, 2013
RODDY BURKE WALTON Long-time resident of Los Alamos --
, passed into the arms of his Savior on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 after a lengthy illness. Roddy was born in Goldthwaite, Mills County, Texas on December 9, 1931 and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in physics and the University of Wisconsin in 1957 with a PhD in nuclear physics. He spent the summers of 1953-1955 at Los Alamos National Laboratory as a research assistant. From 1957-1959 Roddy served his country as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Air Force stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, working in upper atmospheric physics research. He then moved to San Diego, California to work at the General Atomic Corporation, Linac Group, from 1959-1967. It was during this time that he married his wife of 51 years, Leona Mae Carter and their first daughter, Emily, was born. In 1967, Roddy, Leona and Emily moved to Los Alamos, where Roddy joined Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to work for the Safeguards Program, and a year later their second daughter, Ellen, was born. Roddy served as a Group Leader for four years in Safeguards, and then proceeded to work from 1982-1993 for the Weapons Program in P-Division as an experimental physicist. He then worked for EG&G, Inc. as a consultant to LANL for two years. In 1995 he embarked on an archiving project in nuclear weapons data for LANL while working as a contractor for Sumner Associates. Roddy's distinguished work for LANL and our nation continued until he was 80 years old. Roddy was preceded in death by his parents, Elsie and Lee Walton. Mr. Walton is survived by his wife, Leona Walton; his daughters, Emily McMorran and Ellen Walton and husband Robert Pelak; grandsons, Ian and Tristan McMorran; his brother, Coleman Walton and wife Joann and their children, Rhonda Young and Kerry Walton. Roddy is remembered as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who loved his family, church and community. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church in Los Alamos. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Kidney Fund in memory of Roddy Walton at 1(800) 638-8299 or by mail at 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852 or to the Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church Altar Guild Memorial Fund. The family of Roddy Burke Walton has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espaola Valley. 505-662-2400/www.devargasfuneral.com
Published on: Wed February 27, 2013