Obituaries

JEANNENE MATTINGLY HANSON Jan. 9, 1936 – Nov. 16, 2025

Jeannene Mattingly Hanson, 89, of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away on November 16, 2025. She was born on January 9, 1936, in a farmhouse near Portland, Kansas to Ruther Meder Mattingly and Ena Mae Lott Mattingly. After graduating from high school in Caldwell, Kansas, she dropped her given first name, Treva, in favor of her middle name, Jeannene, and began taking classes at the University of Kansas.

Jeannene married Robert H. Masterson in 1956 and accompanied him to Munich for his Fulbright scholarship. She later became the devoted mother Read More

STEFANI CZUCHLEWSKI Feb. 6, 1944 – Dec. 10, 2025

Stefani Czuchlewski, age 81, passed away on December 10, 2025, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

She was born on February 6, 1944, and spent most of her adult life in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with a eulogy to begin at 10:40 a.m., at the Church of the Incarnation Catholic Church, 2309 Monterrey Rd NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144, with a reception to follow.

Please visit our online guestbook for Stefani at www.FrenchFunerals.com. Read More

DORY RYAN Sept. 12, 1960 – Dec. 5, 2025

Dory Ryan, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Dec. 5, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on Sept. 12, 1960, Dory left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

Following her graduation from New Mexico State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, she joined the Environmental, Safety and Health Division at LANL. After 30 years at LANL, Dory embarked on a life filled with gardening, hiking (completing Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim across the Grand Canyon for her 60th birthday), traveling, cooking, Read More

REID ZIRKLE Oct. 5, 1945 – Dec. 8, 2025

Reid was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon to Ira and Ruth Zirkle.

He graduated from Oregon Institute of Technology before moving to New Mexico in 1967, when Los Alamos National Laboratory recruited him as a draftsman to work on classified drawings. Reid spent most of his LANL career as an Area Coordinator at various lab facilities, retiring with 38 years of service.

Reid grew up hunting and fishing: passions he carried with him throughout his life. He especially enjoyed duck and quail hunting throughout New Mexico. After retiring, he and his wife purchased an Read More

PETER MANVILLE WARD 1939 – Nov. 14, 2025

Peter Manville Ward, 86, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed peacefully on November 14, 2025. He was under the care of the hospice unit at the New Mexico Veterans’ Administration Hospital in Albuquerque, NM after complications from a fall.

Peter was born in Inglewood, California in 1939 to Virginia and Winston Ward. He volunteered for the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Era. After four years, he presented his honorable discharge papers, his G.I. bill education benefits, and himself at the steps of the University of New Mexico. He subsequently Read More

DORY RYAN Sept. 12, 1960 – Dec. 5, 2025

Dory Ryan, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on September 12, 1960, Dory left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

Following her graduation from New Mexico State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, she joined the Environmental, Safety and Health Division at LANL. After 30 years at LANL, Dory embarked on a life filled with gardening, hiking (completing Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim across the Grand Canyon for her 60th birthday), traveling, Read More

LEONORA ‘LEO’ TRUJILLO Aug. 17, 1947 – Dec. 10, 2025

Leonora “Leo” Trujillo was born on August 17, 1947, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and peacefully passed away there on December 10, 2025. For 27 years, she made her home in Los Alamos, where she built lasting friendships and a meaningful career, before moving to Santa Fe, a place where her spirit was inseparable from the landscape, traditions, and beauty she ultimately called home.

Leo was a graduate of Southern Methodist University, where she began her professional journey as a Dental Hygienist. Her intellectual curiosity later led her to continue Read More

ERNESTO V. BURCIAGA Jan. 26, 1946 – Dec. 4, 2025

Ernesto V. Burciaga, the eldest of the six children of Lorenzo R. Burciaga and Maxine T. Burciaga (nee Van Sloun) passed away Dec 4, 2025 following a lengthy battle with dementia.

In addition to being predeceased by his parents, his sister Ann C. Johnson and brother Timothy V. Burciaga, he was predeceased by his loving wife of 44 years, Cecilia, who passed away earlier this year.

Ernesto, also known as Ernie and Neto, was born Jan. 26, 1946 in Santa Fe, NM. His family moved to Los Alamos, NM in 1955. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1964 lettering Read More

VIRGINIA LEE KACHELMEIER June 7, 1948 – Oct. 23, 2025

Virginia Lee Kachelmeier, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully Oct. 23, 2025, at Arden Courts in San Antonio, Texas. She was 77.

Born on June 7, 1948, in Raton, New Mexico, Virginia was the cherished daughter of Roy and Marie Butt, both of whom preceded her in death. She graduated from Raton High School and was one of six siblings-David (deceased), Bobby (deceased), Larry, Jimmy, and Lori-each of whom held a special place in her heart.

Virginia’s life changed forever one snowy night when a fierce storm Read More

WALTER WRIGHT Oct. 26, 1941 – Dec. 2, 2025

Walter Wright, age 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Los Alamos, New Mexico, Dec. 2, 2025. Walter was born in Bellows Falls, Vermont Oct. 26, 1941 to Leland Fuller Wright and Thelma (Staniszewski) Wright.

Growing up on the Connecticut River, he attended Bellows Falls High School and graduated in 1959. Overcome with a sense of service and willingness to give back to his country during the Cold War Era, Walter joined the US Air Force in 1960. He specialized in Weapons Control and System Maintenance at Lowry AFB in Colorado from February to Read More