Obituaries

FELONIS MARTINEZ Sept. 12, 1925 – Dec. 22, 2016

Felonis Martinez, a resident of Vadito, NM was called home to be with our Lord and Savior on December 22, 2016.

Felonis  Martinez was born on September 12, 1925 to Procopio and Cornelia Mascareñas in Rodarte, NM. Felonis was the oldest of six children. She loved all her brothers and sisters whom she also helped to care for and raise.

Felonis graduated from the Peñasco Independent School District and went on to attend college at Adam’s State University in Alamosa, CO. It was there that she met her husband Abel E. Martinez. They Read More

FRANKIE E. MARTINEZ Dec. 18, 2016

Frankie Martinez, 25, a resident of Dixon, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 18, 2016.

He was a UNM graduate in Psychology and Communications. Frankie enjoyed fishing, camping, hiking, water activities and spending time with family and friends. He had a contagious smile and laughter, which always lit up the room.

Frankie was preceded in death by his father, Glen Martinez; special cousin, Christopher J. Martinez; grandparents, Delfin and Beatrice Martinez; grandfather, Silas Martinez; uncles, Fred, Leroy Martinez, Chris Martinez, and Paul Read More

RAYMOND PEDERSON Dec. 10, 2016

In loving memory of Raymond Pederson, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Ray was the son of Peder and Louise Pederson. He moved with his wife, Lisely, from North Dakota to New Mexico in 1954 where he worked for the Los Alamos National Labs. Here his natural inquisitiveness and hard work lead him to give his expertise in varied fields from critical assembly operation, mechanical design, computer programming, and many more areas.

Ray was a kind and gentle man who could fix almost any mechanical thing and would drop everything to help others. He had his way of Read More

KATHRYN ANN (SPELL) KISTNER Nov. 3, 1941 – Nov. 24, 2016

Kathryn Ann (Spell) Kistner was born November 3, 1941 in Flushing, Queens. She died on Thanksgiving Day November 24, 2016 of a long term illness.

She was the third child of Kathryn and Harry Spell and spent her youth and early adulthood on Long Island, NY. On October 20, 1962 she married George Edward Kistner. They had two children, Valerie and David. The family lived on Long Island except for a ten year period when they lived in the small town of Brimfield, Illinois. Kathy moved to Los Alamos in 2003.

Kathy loved life. Her favorite sport was biking Read More

DEXTER SUTHERLAND Sept. 25, 1932 – Dec. 1, 2016

Dexter Sutherland passed away unexpectedly on December 1, 2016 at age 84. He was born on September 25, 1932 in Rochester, VT to Vinal and Winona Sutherland.

Dexter graduated from Rochester High School in 1949 as Valedictorian. In his class of nine, he joked that he WAS the top 10% of the class. Dexter earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Vermont in 1953 and a Master of Science in Mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in 1955.

Dexter met Frances in Troy, NY, in 1954 and they married in 1955. After a tour in the US Air Force Read More

ROBERT LLOYD CLAY March 31, 1923 – Nov. 28, 2016

Robert Lloyd Clay, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away on Monday night, November 28, 2016. He was 93 years old.

Robert, who was known to friends and family as “Bob” or “Bobby”, was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on March 31, 1923. At an early age, the family moved to Columbus, Ohio, which he would always consider to be his home town. He was very independent as a youth and made extra money as a paper boy, delivering the Columbus Dispatch. He was so good at delivering the paper in fact, that he twice Read More

Rosalie D. Heller Dec. 2, 2016

One of the brightest lights in the Los Alamos musical world went out when Rosalie D. Heller, 85, passed on peacefully in her Los Alamos home Dec. 2, 2016. 

At her side were her husband Leon, her eldest son Peter and granddaughter Nicole.

Heller, a classical pianist who long served as artistic director of the Los Alamos Concert Association, hosted a weekly classical music radio show on KRSN. She was named a Santa Fe Living Treasure in 1989. She will be dearly missed.

The family is not planning a memorial service. Read More

CHRISTOPHER J. MARTINEZ Nov. 30, 2016

Christopher J. Martinez, a resident of Española, passed away unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, November 30, 2016.

He was preceded in death by his father, Federico Martinez; uncles, Leroy Martinez and Glen Martinez; aunts, Eileen Rodriguez and Beatrice Lucero; grandparents, Jaun and Manuelita Valdez, Beatrice and Delfin, and Mary and Rudy Sweeney.

Christopher was employed as an Electrical Field Engineer at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He was a hard worker who enjoyed getting his hands dirty. He enjoyed many hobbies such as fishing, hunting, cooking, Read More

DIANA MARIANI Dec. 4, 2016

Diana Mariani of Los Alamos and formerly of North Versailles, Pennsylvania, passed away on Dec. 4, 2016.

Diana was cherished, admired and adored by many including her son, Tommy Stepan; parents, Florindo and Patricia Mariani; siblings Victor (Sandra) Mariani, Philomena (Regis) Bujakowski, and the late Gina Ann Mariani; nieces, nephews and great-niece and nephew; and many close friends.

Diana was a respected business woman and CPA. She graduated at the top of her class from Penn State University and earned her MBA from the University of Colorado. While she led a successful Read More

 RITA MAE (BACHMAN) BOWMAN Nov. 17, 1926 – Nov. 17, 2016

Rita Mae (Bachman) Bowman, 90, was born November 17, 1926, second of the three daughters of Carl Otto and Helen Cecelia Bachman of La Porte, Indiana. She entered eternal life on November 17, 2016, her 90th birthday.

Rita attended La Porte High School, graduating in 1944.  In her senior year, she won a statewide classical piano competition. She also enjoyed playing the cello in a string trio with friends. Her love of music stayed with her throughout her life, and her children remember many happy hours listening to her play her beloved Read More

SIDNEY SINGER Nov. 19, 1927 – Nov. 24, 2016

Sidney Singer, a man of extraordinary persistence when confronting problems, scientific and otherwise, died on November 24, 2016 at his home in Santa Fe.

Sid was born in Detroit on November 19, 1927, to Polish immigrants Freda and Simon Singer. He graduated from Wayne State University in 1951, then got his PhD in nuclear physics and mathematics at the University of Illinois in 1957. He had already been a summer employee at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and upon graduation he joined LANL for a career of 40 years. He retired in 1994 to attend to the health Read More

NANCY CDE BACA Nov. 10, 2016

On Thursday, November 10th, Nancy Cde Baca passed away from a short illness. She passed doing all her favorite things-eating a bowl of homemade, mashed potatoes and gravy, smoking a cigarette and having her favorite drink.

Nancy never liked telling her age, so I won’t start now.

Although Nancy had a limited education, it never stopped her from pursuing things she was interested in. She loved playing the guitar, and she performed along with a partner at the La Fonda Hotel and the Los Alamos Inn. She was a trap shooter, and also loved the sport of hunting.

Nancy was Read More

JOHNNY O. ATENCIO Nov. 14, 2016

Johnny O. Atencio, 76, a lifelong resident of Dixon, passed away of a lengthy illness surrounded by his loving family on Monday, November 14, 2016. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Querino and Corina Atencio; in-laws, Enrique and Frances Vigil; brothers Hector Atencio, Dennis Atencio; sister Ernestina Gonzales; nephews Orlando Atencio, Florencio Atencio; and niece Sara Vences.

Johnny graduated from El Rito in 1960 and later attended Trinidad State Junior College, CO. His career began in Los Angeles, CA, working for McDonald Douglas Aircraft. Read More

LORNA BLOSSOM MCINTYRE Aug. 6, 1919 – Nov. 12, 2016

Lorna Bossom McIntyre, 97, passed away peacefully November 12^th, 2016.

She was proceeded in death by husbands Rea Blossom and James McIntyre, Sister Louise Bennett and son Patrick Blossom. She is survived by her sister Marie, sons Rea Bruce and wife Cindy, James Michael and wife Tionne, David Andrew, Robert Quentin and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Lorna was a veteran having served in WWII as a Captain in Military Intelligence at the Pentagon in what would become the Defense Intelligence Agency.

She was very Read More

DONALD ROY FRANCIS COCHRAN Oct. 31, 2016

Donald Roy Francis Cochran, 90, of Highlands Ranch, CO, formerly of Los Alamos, NM,  passed peacefully on October 31, 2016, surrounded by his wife, Joan Cochran, and children, Jim Cochran, Robert Cochran, and Marcia Cochran Mahoney. 

Born in San Francisco in 1926 to Guy and Edith Cochran, Don went on to serve the US Navy from 1945-1946, obtain a degree from U.C. Berkeley in 1948, and finish his PhD in Physical Chemistry from Johns Hopkins University in 1954. He moved to Los Alamos, NM in 1954 where he worked for the Los Alamos National Laboratory Read More

SPENCER WHAYNE HILL Dec. 24, 1954 – June 19, 2016

St. George, Utah – Spencer Whayne Hill, 61, passed away peacefully at home, following a nine month battle with brain cancer, on Sunday, June 19, 2016.

He was born December 24, 1954 in Cherry Point, NC to Whayne Bryson Hill and Loma Louise Gracey-Buck Hill. Following his LDS mission to Puerto Rico, and while attending BYU, he married Pamela Jean Stephenson in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 14, 1978. They were blessed with 5 lovely children.

Over the years, Spencer’s employment has taken his family Read More

LEROY WILLIAM LUCERO, SR. Nov. 23, 1936  – Nov. 6, 2016

LeRoy William Lucero, Sr., 79, a resident of  Santa Fe, New Mexico, died November 6, 2016. He was born November 23, 1936. He is preceded in death by: Luis Lucero (Father), Bernardita Rodriguez/Lucero (Mother), Polly Ortega/Lucero (Ex-Wife), LeRoy Lucero Jr. (Son), and Jimmy Lucero (Son).

He is survived by: Daughter-Bernadette Gallegos (Spouse: Carlos) of Santa Fe; Son-Leroy Lucero, Jr. (Spouse: Sandra) of Santa Fe; Son-Marco Lucero (Spouse: Sandy) of Los Alamos; Son-Rick Muniz of Santa Fe; Brother-Eugene Lucero Read More

STUART D. ORBESEN Oct. 3, 2016

Stuart D. Orbesen, 79, a new resident of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on October 3, 2016 surrounded by family.

Stuart is preceded in death by his father Clifford, his mother Helen and his brother Thomas. Stuart is survived by his wife Margaret and their beautiful blended family, son Randy Orbesen, wife Kai, daughters Robyn Buck, husband Thomas, and Karen Boise, husband Scott, and step children Charles Hickman, wife Teresa and Lisa Jackson, husband Alton, along with twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Stuart was a loving Read More

ROY DUMONT STONE Jan. 1, 1923 – Oct. 28, 2016

Roy Dumont Stone, 93, resident of White Rock, was born on January 1, 1923 and went to rest with God on October 28, 2016.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Pauline Stone; son, Dale Stone; and grand-daughter, Kathy Wheat.

Roy was a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran of World War II, where he was a photographer. He continued his photography with the Los Alamos National Laboratory until he retired.

Mr. Stone participated with his church, loved to sing the hymns of God, and loved gardening. He will be loved and missed by many family and friends.

Roy is survived Read More

THOMAS DAVIS Oct. 23, 2016

Tomas Davis, age 68, died peacefully on October 23, 2016 following a ten year battle with dementia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Hilda Davis.

Tom grew up in Barnesboro, PA. He attended Catholic University in Washington DC, graduating with a degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering. After graduation, he moved west to the San Francisco bay area to work at Mare Island Naval Shipyard as a health physicist for their nuclear submarine program.

His work there led to a position at LANL initially in the health physics division and later for a variety of Read More

NANCY LOUISE RHYNARD HASTINGS Aug. 13, 1936 – Oct. 17, 2016

Nancy Louise Rhynard Hastings was born August 13, 1936 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. She passed away Monday, October 17, 2016 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Nancy will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister and friend who will be greatly missed. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and well respected woman who lived her Christian Faith daily.

Nancy is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, Ray Hastings of Rio Rancho, NM; daughter, Kay Brown and husband Shawn of Corrales, NM; son, Daryl Hastings and Read More

MAX H. BAKER Jan. 9, 1951 – Oct. 19, 2016

After a two-year battle with cancer, Max H. Baker passed from this mortal sphere on October 19, 2016 at his home in Farmington, Utah. He was 65 years old.

Born January 9, 1951, Max was welcomed to this earth by parents Ray S. and Nelda Baker of Teton, Idaho. He learned much about hard work and integrity from his parents as he helped to work the family farm. His perseverance and tenacity carried over to his education, and after graduating from South Fremont High School in 1969, he attended Brigham Young University, graduating with a BA in History and going Read More

ROBERT J. ELLIOTT  Oct. 9, 2016

Robert J. (Bob) (aka Red/Rojo) Elliott, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 9, 2016, in Los Alamos, NM, in the arms of his family.

The world now has a void where Bob’s exuberant, gregarious, loving, joyful, giving, optimistic, larger-than-life personality has been so alive for the last 90 years.

He was the cherished father of Nancy and Randy Vaughn and the adored grandfather of his “Best in the World” grandchildren, Morgan and Tanner Vaughn, all of Santa Fe, NM.

Bob lived in Los Alamos for the last 65 years, proudly worked for LANL for 51 years, and previously Read More

SIGNE “JUNE” BABICH June 8, 1930 – Aug. 24, 2016

Signe “June” Babich passed quietly in her sleep on August 24, 2016 surrounded by her family.

Born on June 8, 1930 in Superior, Wyoming to Signe Bertina Carlson and Carl A. Anderson, Signe “June” was destined to become a motherly figure.  Being one of nine mouths to feed during the Great Depression and WWII, June knew that the love she was shown from her mother was exactly what she would portray in her own sibling interactions.  June knew that although her life was not filled with wealth and gold, it was filled with much more – family.

June Read More

MICHELLE LYNNE DECOTEAU (PADILLA) Sept. 20, 2016

Michelle Lynne Decoteau (Padilla) passed into the arms of angels on Tuesday, September 20, 2016. Our beloved “Shelly Brown” or “Shell” as her family lovingly called her was a loving mother, daughter, sister, and friend to many.

Michelle was preceded in death by her grandparents, Robert and Frances Padilla, and Lola and Ernest Hodson; uncle, Patrick Hodson; and father of her daughter, Nasario Maldonaldo. 

She was born and raised in Los Alamos, NM and graduated from Los Alamos High School in 2003. Michelle earned an Associates degree Read More