Obituaries

HOWARD B. (BUD) DEMUTH June 22, 1928–Feb. 20, 2022

Howard Demuth, 93, died peacefully at home on February 22, 2022, in Boulder, CO, with family at his side. In late January, Howard sustained a debilitating fall from which he did not recover.

Howard was born in Junction City, KS, on June 20, 1928, to Frances E. (Honey) Pierce Demuth and Howard Bundrum Demuth, and he spent his early childhood in Ellsworth, KS. His early memories were of small town life, the Dust Bowl, and the Great Depression. He moved to Boulder, CO, with his mother, Honey, and his older brother, Hal, at the age of 10.

His life was full Read More

DONALD W. BEENE Nov. 10, 1935 – Feb. 21, 2022

Donald W. Beene died February 21, 2022.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Douglas and Minnie (Brown) Beene; his older brother, Douglas Beene; his daughter, Deborah Kaye Beene; and his stepdaughter Lynn Ellen Aberger.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen, his son Mark (Lori) of Tempe, AZ; two granddaughters, Kayla (Garrett) Drown of Chandler, AZ, and Marissa Beene of Boulder, CO; his brother Daryl (Debbie) Beene of Lawrence, KS; as well as Ellen’s children R. Joseph (Shirley) Hanold, of Tucson, AZ; and Jonathan (Susan) Hanold of Dallas, TX, and granddaughters, Read More

ALLYN CLAIRE LOWENSTEIN March 7, 1920 – Jan. 20, 2022

Allyn Claire (Allie) Lowenstein died Jan. 20, 2022 following a short illness. One hundred-one years old, she was born March 7, 1920 in Nevada, a state she emotionally embraced throughout her life.

A child of the Depression, Allie married at seventeen. Leading into WWII, she had four children in five years (all eventual college graduates), spending several years in a house without indoor bathroom plumbing.

She served her community during the ‘50s as a 4-H leader helping rural kids – including her two sons – learn and perfect sewing Read More

LLOYD D. WHEAT Aug. 25 1938 – Dec. 29, 2021

 Age 83 a resident of Deming, NM passed away on December 29, 2021

Lloyd served in the US Navy and worked at LANL where he later retired.  Lloyd raised three children as a single father for more than 10 years. He was an avid gun collector and he loved to tell stories and jokes.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his mother Marguerite Wheat, father Edwin Wheat, sister Sylvia DeWall, brother Johnny Wheat and daughter Kathy Wheat.

Lloyd is survived by his wife Maxx Wheat, brothers Don Wheat, Billy Wheat (Jude) sister Becky Bridges (Glen), his children Deborah Cowan, Jerry Read More

ALLAN GORDON NICOL May 4, 1938 – Feb. 22, 2022

Allan Gordon Nicol was born at Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut to William J.W. Nicol and Janet Scott Thomson Nicol.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother William Alexander Nicol and beloved wife Carolyn Sue Nicol.

He is survived by his sister Betty Dobensky of Stratford, CT; son Dan Nicol of Rio Rancho, NM; son Jeff Nicol (Tiffany) of Rio Rancho, NM; stepdaughter Terri Moore of Los Alamos, NM; stepson John Moore of Rio Rancho, NM; stepson Craig Moore (Aimee) of Crossville, TN; grandchildren Chelsey Nicol, Allan Nicol (Crystal), Read More

JESSE WHITE JR. March 15, 1932 – Feb. 4, 2022

Jesse White, Jr., 89, of Eustace, Texas, passed away February 4, 2022, in Eustace.

Jesse Gardner White, Jr. was born March 15, 1932, in Charleston, New Hampshire, the son of Robert White and Jessi (Bundy) White. He graduated from the Berwick Academy in Maine in 1950 where he obtained the nickname “Smiley”, and later married Kate LaFáye Yancy on January 6, 1951.

He enlisted in the United States Army where he served from 1951 to 1954 as a weapon specialist. After the military, he attended Southern Methodist University where he graduated with his bachelor’s Read More

ANNE ROCKWOOD Aug. 31, 1929 – Feb. 18, 2022

Anne was born on August 31, 1929 in North Plainfield, New Jersey to Sophie and Laser David Frankel.  She was the youngest of 5 children, a surprise born 13 years after her 4 siblings. Her mother was an invalid, so she was essentially raised by her siblings.

She received her BA in 1951 from Hood College and her occupational therapy degree from Columbia University in 1952. She dearly loved teaching arts and crafts to mental health outpatients. She was so dedicated to her patients that after the Sylmar earthquake of 1971 collapsed the building at Olive View hospital Read More

SHERRY (SIMUNDSON) MAGEE Dec. 16. 1942 – Feb. 18, 2022

Sherry Lynn Magee, 79, survived by her husband of 31 years, Burl Dean Magee of Weatherford, TX, who was her high school sweetheart and lifelong love. She was born in Oklahoma City, OK.

She was preceded in death by her parents, R.L. McLean, Polly McLean and brother Michael McLean.  

Surviving daughters are DeEdda McLean and DeAnn Young of Hillsborough, NC; and stepson Corey Magee of Fort Worth, Texas. Grandchildren incude Emily Hendry (Craig Hendry) of Hillsbororgh, NC; Kevin Freyer (Darlette Martinez) of Albuquerque, NM and Matthew Magee Read More

JAMES W. STAPP July 4, 1928 – Feb. 11, 2022

James W. Stapp passed peacefully amongst loving family members on Friday, February 11, 2022, in Albuquerque, NM.

Jim was born on July 4, 1928, in Vero Beach, Florida. While in the Air Force he was stationed in Albuquerque where he met and married Suzanne. Jim and Suzanne moved to Los Alamos where they were active in the community while raising a family. She preceded him in death and passed away in 2009.

Over the years Jim was active in Scouting, local conservation, and regularly with his Church. Following retirement, he was a frequent volunteer at The United Read More

CONNIE POORE Oct. 27, 1943 – Feb. 8, 2022

Connie Poore left this world and her loving family on February 8, 2022

Connie was born on October 27, 1943, in Casper, Wyoming and moved to Albuquerque at the age of 10 after the death of her father.

She graduated high school from St. Pius High School in Albuquerque in 1961. After high school she completed a degree in biology at UNM at a time when few women were in the sciences. She then taught several years of high school biology in Richland, Washington before having two children, Jim Gustafson and Heather Beckman. She moved to Los Alamos in 1976 as her husband at Read More

NANCY MALTRUD Aug. 14, 1931 – Feb. 8, 2022

Our beloved bright spirit, Nancy Maltrud, passed on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. She was at home, surrounded and lifted up by her loving family while in hospice care soon after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Affectionately known as “Nan,” she was born in Germantown, PA, and grew up in Merchantville, NJ, and Baltimore, MD. She was the daughter of Solveig Singdahlsen and Harold Steel. Nancy was the middle child in her family between elder sister Joan and younger brother Harold Jr.

Following high school, Nancy attended nursing school in Baltimore and soon Read More

SETH E. RISLOVE Jan 31, 1930 – Feb. 13, 2022

Seth E. Rislove, a long-time resident of Los Alamos, died peacefully in his sleep on February 13, 2022.

Seth was born on January 31, 1930, to Seth J. and Ella Rislove in Rushford, MN. He was a graduate of Rushford High School and Kings Point United States Merchant Marine Academy. On August 23, 1952, he married Marcella Ann Niggle.

Before his employment at Los Alamos National Laboratory, he served two years in the United States Navy, worked for two years at the Rosemount Research Center at the University of Minnesota in Rosemount, MN, and five years at Westinghouse Read More

LEROY MONTOYA Dec. 27, 1950 – Dec. 7, 2021

LeRoy A. Montoya, 70, of Lubbock, passed away Tuesday night, December 7, 2021. Mr. Montoya was born on December 27, 1950, in Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico to the late Dionicio Montoya and Maria (Lesperance) Montoya.

LeRoy attended Los Alamos High School and graduated in 1969. Following graduation from high school, he attended Eastern New Mexico University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts, Ethnic Education and Reading in 1973.

During his college years, he worked at Cannon Air Force Base helping soldiers to read. Mr. Montoya met Read More

GEORGE H. BEST – Feb. 9, 2022

After 101 years on this earth, George H. Best passed away on February 9, 2022.

He leaves behind a world, and certainly a community, that is a better place because of his presence, efforts and achievements.

Honored as a Living Treasure by Los Alamos in 2018, George was celebrated for his volunteer work during the 70 years he and his life partner, Elizabeth Best, lived in Los Alamos. He helped establish the Pajarito Ski area, the East Park swimming pool, the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, the Los Alamos Credit Union (now Del Norte Credit Union), and the computer user group Read More

REBECCA ROBYN WATKINS May 3, 1981 – Feb. 6, 2022

Rebecca “Becca” Robyn Watkins, 40, passed away on February 6, 2022.

Rebecca called Los Alamos home for 35 years. She was born May 3, 1981 in Hayward, California to Robert Judd and Lynda Judd and was the youngest of 5.

Becca was married to Jon Watkins Dec. 31 2002 in White Rock, and is a proud mother of two.

She is survived by her husband Jon Watkins, son Vinny Watkins, daughter Robyn Watkins, father Robert Judd, mother Lynda Judd, sisters Jennifer Newman, Tysa Royce and Tara Johnson, brother Robert Judd II, father-in-law David Watkins, mother-in-law Read More

NANCY DIANE KEOWN Aug. 20, 1953 – Feb. 10, 2022

Nancy Diane Keown beloved wife and mother passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones Feb. 10, 2022.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel.  201 E 3rd St, Lampasas, Texas. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17 at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Nancy was born to Frank and Ruth Sill Aug. 20, 1953. She grew up in Agua Dulce, Texas graduating from Agua Dulce High School.

She married Robert Keown July 13, 1974, and was a devoted mother to their three daughters.

Nancy was preceded in death by her mother, Read More

EDWARD STRATEMEYER ADAMS Sept. 4, 1925 – Feb. 11, 2022

Edward Stratemeyer Adams passed away at age 96. Born Sept. 4, 1925, and died Feb. 11, 2022.

Born to Harriet and Russell Vroom Adams. He was the youngest sibling to Russell Jr, Patricia and Camilla. Ed had a long and healthy life, frequently enjoying walks until a fall fractured his hip in August 2021.

He married Joan Jordan in 1953. They had three daughters: Kimberley, Cynthia, and Sharon. Ed and Jo married in Ohio, but went on to spend time living in New Jersey and Belgium before settling in Pittsburgh, PA for over 50 years. Jo passed in 2009.

Ed completed Read More

RUTH SILBERT Feb. 12, 2022

Ruth Silbert of Los Alamos passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on Feb. 12, 2022.

Ruth was born and raised in Detroit. While growing up, her summers were spent at farms and lakes in Michigan with extended family. Ruth attended Alma College and graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Math and many life-long friends.

While continuing her studies at the University of Michigan, she was recruited to work on the MANIAC computer at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, a job that she loved.

Shortly after arriving in Los Alamos, she met Myron Silbert and they were married a few Read More

SANDRA DARLEEN HUMPTON April 9, 1965 – Feb. 4, 2022

Sandra Darleen Humpton (Henton) went home to be with Jesus on February 4, 2022.

Sandy was born on April 9, 1965, in Downey, California to Reford and Kathleen Henton.

She met the love of her life Jeff Humpton in 1987 and they were married the following year on September 3, 1988, in Costa Mesa, California.

They moved to Riverside, California where they purchased their first home in October of 1989. There they welcomed their only child Rachael (Humpton) McGuire in February of 1991. Sandy loved being a mom to Rachael. Dressing her up in the cutest outfits Read More

DOROTHY MCGRATH April 15, 1925 – Feb. 4, 2022

Dorothy McGrath, 96, of Las Vegas, Nevada, died Friday, February 4, 2022.

Born April 15, 1925 in Muir, Mich., Dorothy was the 12th child of Charles and Helen Cusack. In her early 20s, she met the love of her life, William J. McGrath. They married in April 1950 and had 10 children, raising their family in Michigan and New Mexico before retiring to Las Vegas.

During World War II, Dorothy helped in the war effort, and became a registered nurse after the war. Dorothy was a devout Catholic. She taught catechism classes and volunteered for the church, blood donation Read More

CHARLES W. NUNNELLEY May 13, 1940 – Jan. 20, 2022

With sadness, the family of beloved husband and father Charles W. Nunnelley announces his passing at the age of 81 on January 20, 2022, peacefully at home in Los Alamos, New Mexico, with his wife and children.

Charlie is survived by his wife Nancy; son Jeff of Rio Rancho; daughter Wendy (Joe Candelora) of New York City; step-granddaughter Brianna Wilkins of Newton, Kansas; and nieces and nephews Ron Zimmerman, Teshia Schweedler, Bobbi Gonzales, Cleo Nelson, Fritz Mellenthin, and Rosetta Scanlon of Colorado and Phyllis Power, Dora Kirkpatrick, Read More

GEORGE L. HAGEDORN Jan. 1, 2022

New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2022, George L. Hagedorn passed away unexpectedly and much too soon, at 77 years of age.

He enjoyed many years as a long-time resident of Los Alamos County, New Mexico, and always treasured memories of his formative years spent in Ohio.

In 1944, George was born in Cincinnati, the oldest child of George W. and Elizabeth Hagedorn. His father was a World War II veteran, having served as a First Lieutenant in New Guinea, while loving his young family from afar.

George was fortunate to have aunts, uncles, and cousins in the Cincinnati area. Throughout Read More

JOAN HOULTON April 18, 1938 – Feb. 2, 2022

Joan Houlton peacefully left this world Wednesday, Feb. 2 at the age of 83, surrounded by her family in Los Alamos.

She was born Edna Joan McClellan April 18, 1938 to Orson and Olive McClellan in Alamosa, Colorado. To all who knew her well, she was known as Joan, spoken as “Jo-An”.

She married Jerome (Jerry) Houlton July 22, 1953, and they shared a life together for 56 years before he preceded her in death in 2009. 

She was also preceded in death by her parents Orson and Olive McClellan, older brother Elmer McClellan, and older sister Wauneta Lacey.

Joan and Jerry Read More

ROBERT (BOB) HILL Feb. 18, 1929 – Jan. 15, 2022

Bob was raised on a small farm outside of rural Hobart, Oklahoma by his farmer grandfather and home economics teacher mother, and possibly this childhood was responsible for Robert’s humble, minimalistic, and independent ethics.

After high school Bob worked in Hobart briefly repairing radios, automobiles, and motorcycles. Soon after his marriage to Marie, despite economic disadvantage, they both decided to make the bold decision to leave town and attend college.

Robert graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, a member of the Tau Beta Read More

DARRYL F. “BUCK” HAYES Dec. 23, 1932 – Nov. 20, 2021

Buck, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on November 20, 2021 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease and cancer.

Buck was born in East Alton Illinois. He was the son of Louis H. Hayes and Evelyn B. Heiderscheid Hayes.

After High School graduation, Buck enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Korean War until he was discharged in 1956. He married Ginger J. Little on September 6, 1952. They had 5 children.

After the war he went to work for Olin Winchester Company in Alton, IL where he served his Machinist Apprenticeship. Read More

NIKOLAJS MEZINS Feb. 11, 1936 – Jan. 24, 2022

Nikolajs Mezins passed away on Monday, January 24, 2022, at the age of 85 from heart failure after battling cancer for 2.5 years.

He is survived by his daughter Joanne Baca, son-in-law Martin Baca, and long-time friend and ex-wife Patricia Elliott with whom he traveled much of the world.

Nick was born in Riga, Latvia on Feb. 11, 1936, and emigrated to the United States in his teenage years. He attended New York City College graduating in 1959 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and in 1970 from the University of Pittsburgh with a master’s degree in Industrial Read More

JUDITH KINGSLEY FITTING April 6, 1930 – Jan. 22, 2022

Born April 6, 1930, in New York City, NY; Died January 22, 2022, in Santa Fe, NM.

Judy Kingsley Fitting left us on a clear Santa Fe Saturday morning, January 22, 2022.

Judy was born April 6, 1930, in New York City to her parents Fred and Minna Gladstone. She married Ted Kingsley, a young real estate builder, on October 26, 1950, with whom she had two daughters: Ellen Kingsley Hirschfeld and Melinda Kingsley Nester, both journalists and illustrators.

Cancer took early the life of Ted in May 1964, and later her cherished and accomplished daughters. Read More

STEVEN MICHAEL NOE Jan. 3, 2022

El Rito, NM — Steven passed away unexpectedly at home on January 3, 2022, at the young age of 64.

He is survived by his wife Cynthia Noe, his daughters, Amanda Smith and Ashley Noe, and his 3 grandchildren, Ella Smith, Andrew Smith, and Gabriel Noe.

Steve was predeceased by his father William Noe and is also survived by his mother, Shirley Noe, and his siblings, Deborah Perra, Mark Noe, Maureen Tice, and Kathleen Grady.

He resided in El Rito. He was a lifelong adventurer living all over the U.S including Massachusetts, Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana.

Steve worked for Read More

DAWN ANNE RUTLEDGE (VINSON) Aug. 8, 1966 – Sept. 27, 2021

Dawn Anne Rutledge (Vinson) passed away unexpectedly in the early morning hours of Sept. 27, 2021 at home in Los Alamos.

Dawn was born at Sandia Army base in Albuquerque Aug. 8 1966. Dawn and her family moved to White Rock in 1972 where her father went to work for LANL and she attended Los Alamos schools.

Dawn was a graduate from Los Alamos High School Class of 1984. Following high school she then joined the US Army and was stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After the Army she returned to New Mexico and went to work at the Albuquerque Rescue Read More

JAMES E. STALLINGS Dec. 13, 1928 – Jan. 21, 2022

James E. Stallings, born on December 13, 1928 passed away on January 21, 2022, at the age of 93.

At the young age of 19 he moved from his birthplace Bee, Oklahoma to Los Alamos, New Mexico. He called Los Alamos “home” for the rest of his long adventurous life.

He worked for the University of California from 1949 thru 1951, before enlisting in the US Army. He proudly served overseas in Okinawa, Japan.

After his deployment, he returned to Los Alamos and continued his career with the University of California and Los Alamos National Laboratory. He worked for Read More

PAULINE F. CLARK SIVERLY BRAVINE Dec. 9, 1931 – Jan. 22, 2022

Pauline (Polly) F. Clark Siverly Bravine passed away at the age of 90 Jan. 22, 2022, from Alzheimer’s.

Polly was born in Claremont, New Hampshire Dec. 9, 1931, to Gladys and Stanley Clark. Polly and her family moved from New Hampshire to Rhode Island in 1940. Her dad was hired to work on the Manhattan Project and came to New Mexico.

Polly and her mother joined her father in Los Alamos in 1944. Polly graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1949. During high school, she was elected 1948 Homecoming Queen which was always a fond memory for her.

Polly Read More

JO HELEN (WHITE) CABBELL Nov. 16, 1934 – Dec. 15, 2021

Jo Helen (White) Cabbell of Amarillo, Texas passed from this life onto her eternal home Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021.

Jo Helen fought a valiant and God given graceful battle with Alzheimers since being diagnosed in late 2004.

Jo Helen was born Nov. 16, 1934 to Obie and Lydia White in Quail, Texas.  She was raised in Quail and graduated from Quail High School in 1953 as salutatorian of her class. Jo Helen attended West Texas State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics.

She had a strong body and was very athletic. She was the Read More

PATRICK RUTHERFORD April 13, 1939 – Dec. 28, 2021

Patrick Rutherford died in Albuquerque at Haven Care on Dec. 28, 2021.

Patrick was born in Flint, Michigan on April 13, 1939, to Thomas Perry and Rita Rutherford and moved with his family to Los Alamos, New Mexico in 1950.

Patrick is survived by his children Timothy Nolan Rutherford, Kenneth Mark Rutherford (wife Barbara Gilbert), and his daughter Margaret Shanahan of Centerville, PA (husband Bill Altmire, deceased) whom he met through the help of his niece, Maria and brother Victor.

Pat’s siblings are: Tom Rutherford (deceased), Joe Rutherford Read More

MARTHA MCNIEL July 13, 1978 – Jan. 22, 2022

At 9:14 a.m., Jan. 22, 2022, Martha Leeann McNiel lost her battle with COVID-19 but gained her wings to fly with the angels!

Martha was born July 13, 1978, to Evelyn Curtis and Kenneth McNiel in Topeka, Kansas. Martha attended high school in Washington and completed 3 and a half years at Grand Canyon University.

Although her life on earth was short Martha made good use of her time and touched many hearts and lives. From the little hearts she touched while teaching children’s church, working in the nursery, and helping with kids camps and vacation bible schools. Read More