Obituaries

RITA JANE CHRISTENSEN Feb. 3, 1933 – Sept. 12, 2020

Rita Christensen, age 87, of Portales, NM, passed away Saturday, September 12, 2020 at her home in Portales, NM.

A graveside service was held, at 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, at Santa Fe National Cemetery, in Santa Fe, NM, with Deacon Don Lucero officiating.

Rita was born, Feb. 3, 1933, to Charles and Ida (Clemens) Smith in, Ralston, NE. She married Robert Christensen in the fall of 1952, in Santa Rosa, CA. Rita was of the Catholic faith, a homemaker, enjoyed reading, and enjoyed watching her westerns. 

Survivors include: her four children; Jayne Read More

DONALD FRANCIS KENDALL Oct. 4, 2020

Donald Francis Kendall, 85, passed away on October 4, 2020 surrounded by his wife Frances, son Gregory and daughter-in-law Karen.

Don was devoted to and deeply loved by his wife, five children and eight grandchildren. Don had a successful 44 year management career with F.W. Woolworth Company where he was affectionately known as the Candy Man. He oversaw the downtown San Francisco bulk candy department, which was one of the largest in the United States. Don was a devout Catholic and was comforted by his faith his entire life. 

Don and Frances were married for Read More

ROLINE CHRYSTAL Dec. 11, 1931 – Sept. 5, 2020

A Wonderful, Loving, Gentle Soul, Successful Woman, and Baker of Sweets, Roline Chrystal Baker (age 88) passed away September 5, 2020.

Roline was born to Homer D. Rice and Marjorie B. Ruggles Rice on December 11, 1931 in Hollywood, California.

Roline graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts degree in1952. She moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico in 1954 and worked as a Personnel Coordinator for the Los Alamos National Laboratory for nearly 25 years and retired in 1993.

Roline moved to Sun City, Arizona in 1998, and was an Read More

KATHLEEN ROSE HOVERSON April 12, 1923 – Sept. 29, 2020

Kathleen Rose Hoverson died peacefully on September 29, 2020 surrounded by her family in Los Alamos, NM.

She was preceded in death by husband Bruce Hoverson, parents Dennis and Freda Hartnett and brothers Carl and Dennis Hartnett.

She is survived by her children Susan (Michael) of Batavia, NY – David (Lindy) of Santa Fe, NM – and Mark of Los Alamos, NM.

She is also survived by grandchildren, Sara (Mike)Glynn, Katie (Mark)Weber and Erin Hoverson (Anthony DiLisio), as well as great grandchildren Addison and Ian Glynn and nieces Jody, Leslie, Read More

MARY FRANCIS LEE Sept. 8, 1932–Sept. 2, 2020

On 2 September 2020, Mary Francis Lee loving wife and mother of two, passed from this world at the age of 87 in Ocala, Florida.

Mary Francis Kelley was born on 8 September 1932 to Fannie Elizabeth (nee Neff) and Arthur Joseph Kelley in Willimantic, Connecticut.

They moved to South Coventry, CT where Mary attended Windham High School.

On 20 March 1954 she married her sweetheart, Jesse Richard Lee, and together they raised two children, Deborah and James in Los Alamos, NM where they lived for 36 years.

In 1998 Mary and Jesse moved to Ocala, Florida where they Read More

PAUL EDWIN PARKER Jan. 20, 1932 – Sept. 11, 2020

Paul “Eddie” Parker left this earth and was welcomed into heaven Friday Sept. 11, 2020.

The love, laughter, lessons and legacy he leaves with us are unprecedented.

Paul “Eddie” was a Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, Friend and Hero.

Eddie relished life from his first breath in Lesterville, Missouri. Growing up in the hills of Missouri, he hit the ground running and never stopped. Eddie lived each of his 88 years on this earth to the fullest. Many times, family and friends heard stories of the adventures and shenanigans of this blonde-haired, Read More

DR. CARLOS BRAZIL RAMIREZ Aug. 19, 2020

Dr. Carlos Brazil Ramirez of Santa Fe, NM, the son of the late Leroy and Belina Ramirez, passed away from pancreatic cancer on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020 at the age of 75.

Dr. Ramirez’s academic career spans many years – he earned his B.A. in Political Science from San Francisco State University in 1968, and his M.A. from the University of New Mexico in 1969 and his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1979.

He began his teaching career at Moorpark College in California. In 1983-1988, he became the President Read More

NANCY ANN MOYER BELL Aug. 28, 1946 – Sept. 6, 2020

Nancy Ann Moyer Bell, born Aug. 28, 1946, passed away after a courageous battle with a lengthy illness, Parkinson’s disease, Sept. 6, 2020. She had just turned 74.

Nancy is preceded in death by her father, Howard Moyer and mother Gladys. Sisters, Mildred Moyer, Ginny and husband Bill Turner. Brother, Allan. Neice Susan Turner Agins, and grand nephew Sam Harrow. 

Nancy is survived by son Christopher Bell of Santa Fe; Niece Jo and husband Guy Rossi of Ojo Caliente; niece Linda Horpedahl of Nambe. She has numerous nieces and nephews from the west Read More

MAUREEN O’MARA Jan. 15, 1954 – Aug. 28, 2020

Maureen O’Mara, age 66, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at her home in Albuquerque on August 28, 2020.

Born January 15, 1954 in Los Alamos, NM, Maureen was preceded in death by her parents, Edward F. and Jerry M. O’Mara.

She is survived by her long-time partner Horace L. Anders, brothers Dennis (Carolyn) of Corrales, John of Albuquerque, sister Marion Hutton of Rio Rancho, and nephews, nieces and cousins.

A 1972 graduate of Los Alamos High School, Maureen attended TVI and the University of New Mexico. She was an administrative assistant Read More

FREDERIC (FRED) MARCH March 16, 1937 – Sept. 4, 2020

Frederic (Fred) March, 83, a resident of New Mexico since 1991, died on September 4, 2020 after a long battle with vascular dementia.

Fred was born in Brooklyn, New York, a son of immigrants who fled anti-Semitism in Europe. Fred was a life-long student of Jewish history, archeology, and modern day Israel. He was also an author, a global traveler, and a humanist. He loved music and performance and used his rich, baritone voice to entertain family and friends.

Fred graduated from City College of New York and received his master’s degree in engineering Read More

RICHARD W. BASINGER July 15, 1927 – Sept. 4, 2020

WWII UNITED STATES MILITARY VETERAN, RICHARD W. BASINGER

Richard W. Basinger was born in Pandora, Ohio, July 15, 1927. He worked in his mother, Jeannette Sutter, and father, Ralph Basinger’s greenhouse and florist before graduating from Pandora High School in 1946. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping with his friends in Ohio.

He proudly joined the US Army Air Force, which then became the US Air Force, and served for over 30 years as a flight engineer in the US Navy Air Reserve.

Richard married Doris Whitehead in 1949. She proceeded him in death Read More

MOLLIE GARCIA RODRIGUEZ July 27, 1924 – Sept. 8, 2020

On September 8, 2020, Mollie Garcia Rodriguez peacefully passed away in Las Vegas, NV where she spent the last 3 years of her life near her oldest daughter, Linda Rodriguez Opperman. She was a lifelong resident of Los Alamos, NM where she lived for 70 years. She was always full of life and she loved her friends and family.

Mollie was born in Española, NM on July 27, 1924, and she was chosen to be her high school class valedictorian in 1942. She had a full four-year scholarship to NMSU but due to the war, she opted to marry her high school sweetheart, Emilio Read More

WILLIAM EDGAR DEAL, JR. Sept. 8, 2020

William Edgar Deal, Jr. (Bill Deal) left us early Tuesday morning, Sept. 8, 2020. He was at home, surrounded by family and friends.

He will be laid to rest next to the love of his life, Mary, at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe.

We would like to speak not only to his long list of accomplishments, but more importantly, to who he was, what it meant to know him, and how his influence of 95 years made the world a much better place.

As a respected physicist, he not only taught us how the physical world works, but he also showed us how to negotiate our complex world through compassion, Read More

ROBERT CHARLES MALONE 1945 – 2020

Robert Charles Malone, long time resident of Los Alamos, recently passed away.

He earned his BA in physics at Washington University (St. Louis) in 1967 and his PhD in theoretical astrophysics at Cornell University in 1973. 

He accepted a Technical Staff position at the Los Alamos National Laboratory where he carried out research on laser-driven and magnetic-confinement fusion. However, he also retained a latent interest in global climate modeling that had sprung from the first Earth Day in 1970.

Then in 1979, he was offered a position at LANL that he had envisioned Read More

HELENE SUYDAM Aug. 3, 2020

In the early morning hours of Aug. 3, 2020, Los Alamos lost a revered resident. Helen Suydam passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 100.

Helene was born in 1919 to William Herzberg and Arilla Starkey in Philadelphia, PA. Her childhood was spent in Honolulu, San Diego, and the Panama Canal Zone as her father was transferred to different Navy assignments.

When she reached high school age, Helene attended St. Margaret’s girl’s boarding school in Virginia, and from there she went to Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania for a degree in mathematics. A bout with scarlet Read More

MARILYN LAFORGE Aug. 31, 2020

It is with great sadness that the family of longtime Los Alamos area resident Marilyn LaForge (Dunlop) announces her passing on August 31, 2020 at the age of 92.

The eldest of three children, she was born to Kenneth and Thelma (Dickens) LaForge in Vassar, Michigan in 1928. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Gerry and Don. Sadly, brother Don passed away just days earlier on August 26th.

Until health conditions made it impossible, Marilyn relished being in the great outdoors among the pines. She loved the Jemez mountains, spending many happy years Read More

LAURA JOHNSON MCFARLAND Oct. 27, 1934 – Aug. 7, 2020

Laura Johnson McFarland died August 7, 2020 in Pima County, Arizona.

Laura was born Laura Alice Johnson in Hartford City, Indiana, on October 27, 1934. She grew up in Hartford City and graduated from Hartford City High School as class Valedictorian in 1952. She went to Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio on scholarship.

After graduating from college, Laura took a position with AT&T in Cincinnati. In Cincinnati she met Robert (“Mac”) McFarland and they were married in May 1957 in Hartford City.

The couple moved to Canoga Park, California Read More

PATRICIA WINTER MENDIUS July 9, 1924 – Aug. 13, 2020 

Aug. 13, 2020, Patricia Winter Mendius, (“Pat”), peacefully passed away at the age of 96 in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Her daughter, Louise Mendius, was by her side, while her other children were with her spiritually, but not physically, because of COVID-19 restrictions. 

Pat was born July 9, 1924 in Davenport, Iowa to Helen Dodd and Otho E. Winter. The family moved to Ashland, Wisconsin, where Pat attended the Ashland High School and attended Northland College for one year. She then moved to Los Angeles, California with her family and attended Read More

DAVID ANDREW EMIGH
Oct. 28, 1953 — Aug. 4, 2020 

David Andrew Emigh of Los Alamos, NM, was born Oct. 28, 1953. Unceasingly awed by the knowledge that we are all made of stardust, he escaped his earthly bonds Aug. 4, 2020, after a brief illness. 

David earned the rank of Eagle Scout during his years with Explorer Post 20 and graduated from Los Alamos High School where he was an athlete and played string bass in the orchestra.

After completing degrees at Arizona State University and the University of Illinois, he spent his career teaching science and history at Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson, Read More

STEVEN PAUL LIMBACK July 24, 1947–Aug. 14, 2020

On Friday, August 14, 2020, Steven Paul Limback’s “faith became sight” as he went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Steve was born July 24, 1947 in Peoria, Illinois. He was a Godly man, dedicated to glorifying God in every aspect of his life. Everything he did in life was done “as unto the Lord.”

Steve served four years in the United States Air Force as a mechanic working on C130 Hercules airplanes. He was honorably discharged with a rank of Staff Sergeant.

On July 17, 1971 Steve married the love of his life, Karen. In 1977 Steve and Karen made Los Read More

LISA KOLLMAN Feb. 26, 1962 – Aug. 16, 2020

Lisa Kollman, of Los Alamos, NM, died at UNM Hospital on August 16, 2020 with her brother and husband at her side after experiencing a tragic fall. She was 58 years old. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Victor H. Kollman, of Klamath Falls, Oregon.

She is survived by her husband, Parks Fields; her mother, Kay Beinke Dunn; and her brother, Jay Kollman, all residents of Los Alamos; as well as her Uncle Jim and Marg of Wisconsin and her Uncle Gene and Jane Beinke of Iowa. 

Lisa was born in Waterloo, Iowa on February 26, 1962. Her parents brought her to Los Alamos Read More

ELAINE COSTELLO May 23, 1942 – Aug. 16, 2020

Elaine Costello, 78, beloved Mother, Grandmother, Sister, and Friend died from complications from pneumonia on August 16, 2020, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Santa Fe, NM.

She was born on May 23, 1942, in Daisytown, PA, and was the daughter of the late Anthony and Helen Stetcko. Elaine was raised in Richeyville, PA and graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from California University of PA, and a M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Utah.

After meeting her husband Michael in Salt Lake City, Utah, the couple married in 1967 and moved to Belle Vernon, Read More

MELVIN CHARLES O’SHEA April 9, 1929 – Aug. 10, 2020

Melvin (Mel) O’Shea was welcomed into the gates of Heaven on Monday, August 10, 2020. 

He was born April 9, 1929 in the family farmhouse in Cascade, Iowa to James P. O’Shea and Veronica Strang. He was their fourth child of five.

He is predeceased by his parents, 2 brothers, Lloyd and James, and a sister Aloise, and his beloved wife, Annabelle.

Mel grew up on the farm with cattle, horses, pigs, and growing crops. He never liked the cold and bitter winters of Iowa. He served in the Army and found out he liked the Southwest. 

After leaving the Army, he married Read More

DOLORES OLIVAS Oct. 23, 1928 – July 25, 2020

Dolores Olivas, 91, passed away peacefully in her home on July 25, 2020 surrounded by her children and family.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Manuel; son-in-law, Jack Dawson, grandchildren, Sonya Olivas and Randy Mondragon, as well as other extended family members.

Dolores is survived by her seven children; Andres Olivas and wife, Verena Olivas; Manuel Olivas and wife, Donna Olivas; Felix Olivas and wife, Gloria Olivas; Marie Griego and husband, Mike Griego; Patricia Dawson; Susie Martinez and husband, Gerard Martinez; Albert Olivas Read More

GAYLE SHERRILL Feb. 24, 1938 – Aug. 3, 2020

Gayle Humes Sherrill passed away on August 3, 2020 in Fresno, California due to complications related to COVID.

 Gayle was born in Waldron, Arkansas on February 24, 1938 to Jewell Opal Plummer Sherrill and Hoyt Leslie Sherrill. 

He lived in Waldron as a small child, and from 1943-1945, during World War II, he and his family lived in various places in Idaho, California, and Texas. 

In 1945, the Sherrill family moved back to Waldron, and in 1949, they moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho. Gayle attended the University of Idaho, where he met his future wife, Nora Quijano. Read More

KRISTEN MUELLER ADAMS Oct. 9, 1971 – Aug. 2, 2020

Dr. Kristen Ann (Mueller) Adams, 48, loving wife and mother and respected educator, died peacefully at her Fort Worth home on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Due to the current pandemic, a celebration of Kristen’s life is planned for a later date.

Kristen served as Director and Jean W. Roach Chair of Laboratory Schools at Texas Christian University, where her duties included leadership of Starpoint and KinderFrogs Schools—two nationally-recognized laboratory schools serving students with a range Read More

LOU ANN FARRELL Aug. 3, 1935 – July 15, 2020

On July 15, 2020, Lou Ann Farrell, loving wife and mother of two, passed from this world at the age of 84 in Mesa, Arizona.

Lou Ann Hope was born on August 3, 1935 to Bonnie Lee (nee Phillips) and James Hugh Hope in Wichita Falls, Texas. They soon moved to Fort Worth where Lou Ann attended Arlington Heights High School and went on to earn her teaching degree from Texas Christian University.

In December of 1958, she married her Junior High School sweetheart, John Alden Farrell, and together they raised two children, Lisa, and John P. in Los Alamos, NM and ultimately Read More

DONALD E. HOARD April 14, 1928 – July 30, 2020

Donald E. Hoard, beloved father, father-in-law, and grandfather, a Los Alamos resident for nearly sixty years, passed away peacefully on July 30th at his home, with family at his side.

The date of his passing coincided with the birth date of his late wife Dorothy Hoard.

Donald Ellsworth Hoard was born on April 14th, 1928 in Seattle, to Bertha May (Smith) and George Lisle Hoard. Following graduation from Seattle Lincoln High School in 1946, he served in the United States Army before starting his undergraduate studies in Biochemistry at the University Read More

JANET LYNN DAMITZ Oct. 2, 1963 – June 28, 2020

Janet Lynn (Butler) Damitz, 56, passed away in hospice care on June 28, 2020, in Glendale, Arizona, succumbing to breast cancer that she fought with courage and on her own terms.

Janet was born on October 2, 1963 in Los Alamos, NM, to Thomas (Dan) and Jean Butler.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Bruce Damitz; mother, Jean Butler; and brother, Craig Butler.

She is survived by her son, Trey Clancy, wife Tammie and sons, Jayson and Logan of Los Alamos; stepson Jeromy Damitz of Albuquerque; father, Dan Butler, wife Andrea Taylor of Los Alamos and Tucson Read More

SARA BEENE June 03, 1937 – July 19, 2020

It is with great love and sadness that we communicate that Sara Beene, 83, passed away on July 19, 2020.

She was at her home with her son Mark, his wife Lori, and granddaughters Kayla and Marissa when she passed.

Sara was born in Boonville, MO. and spent portions of her adulthood in Los Alamos, NM, Albuquerque, NM, and Tempe, AZ.

To see Sara’s photos and have the opportunity to share in her guest book, visit https://www.obituare.com/sara-hopkins-beene-obituary-78952/.

Sara was preceded in death by her daughter Deborah; her parents Woodard B. Hopkins Sr. Read More

DORIS JEANNE GULA March 13, 1940 – July 7, 2020

Doris (Dolores) J. Gula passed away on July 7, 2020 in the comfort of her home surrounded by family who will miss her very much.

Doris was born in Washington at the Tulalip Indian Hospital on March 13, 1940 to parents James Tory and Gloria St. Germaine (Jones). Doris lived the early years of her life on and around the Tulalip Indian Reservation and in Seattle. She relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada and then to Los Alamos, New Mexico where she earned her bachelor’s in arts degree from the College of Santa Fe in the early 1990’s.

She spent her working years at the Los Read More

KATHLEEN KAREN (CARROLL) TAYLOR Jan 22, 1946 – June 28, 2020

Kathleen was born on January 22, 1946 in Smithfield, PA.

After graduating from Albert Gallatin High School, she graduated from California State College (PA) where she received a B.S. degree. She furthered her education at Virginia Poly Technical Institute, where she received her Ph.D in the field of Nuclear Sciences.

After graduation, she relocated to Long Island, New York where she began her employment at Brookhaven Laboratory. It was there that she met the love of her life, George A. Taylor. The two were married in 1971.

George introduced Read More