Obituaries

BETTY OLIPHANT Dec. 4, 1930 – April 6, 2021

Betty Oliphant, 90, passed away on April 6, 2021 in Portland, Oregon after having struggled for many months with the aftereffects of contracting COVID.

She was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Whitney Hall Efferson and Gladys Efferson on December 4, 1930.

The last surviving member of the six Efferson children, Betty is survived by her husband of 70 years, Thomas Oliphant; daughters Cathy Kernodle (and husband Gary Kernodle) of Portland, Oregon and San Antonio, Texas; Carol Salesky of Lubbock, Texas; and Julie Oliphant of Santa Rosa, New Mexico; as Read More

SUSAN M. WOY Aug. 6, 1946 – March 17, 2021

Susan M. Woy, of Albuquerque, born August 6, 1946, passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 after a fight with pneumonia, with loved ones by her side.

She leaves behind her husband Rod, daughters Heather and Alissa, son Jimmy and 7 grandchildren, brothers Gary (Sue) Tubb of Seabrook, TX, John (Pat) Tubb of White Rock, NM, and sister Karen (Garry) Bryant of Edgewood, NM.

She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Dorothy Tubb and her son Roy Neil.

She was a graduate of Los Alamos High School and was active in the Order of Rainbow for Girls. She attended Read More

URSULA (USCHI) SANDERS Jan. 11, 1944 – March 28, 2021

Beloved by her family and friends, Ursula Sanders died Sunday March 28, 2021 of complications from her medical conditions.

Ursula is survived by her stepson Stephen Sanders and his wife Fran Sanders, both of Santa Fe, NM.  Ursula’s only other relative is her sister Marian who still lives in Germany.

Ursula was born in Berlin on January 11, 1944 and moved to Santa Fe in 1981. She was married to Benjamin Sanders for twenty years and they were active in the Santa Fe Community.

Ursula, herself, was active in the Women’s Golf Assn, an Opera Guild Member, Read More

MARY MERRILL ST. JOHN ZEMACH Dec. 5, 1930 – Feb. 26, 2021

Mary Merrill St. John Zemach passed away of natural causes at her home on February 26, 2021, a few weeks after her 63rd wedding anniversary, with her husband by her side.

Mary was born on December 5, 1930, in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she studied hula dancing, collected insects (including a cockroach deemed worthy of admission to the Bishop Museum), worked in the pineapple fields during WWII, and didn’t wear shoes until 7th grade, and only then because it was required by the marching band, in which she played flute.

Mary left Hawaii upon graduation Read More

THOMAS MICHAEL PANOWSKI 1944 – 2021

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Thomas Michael Panowski. He died at the age of 76.

He grew up and lived in Los Alamos until he left for college where he graduated from New Mexico State University with majors in journalism and electrical engineering.

He was able to do some very interesting work tracking satellites in Kwajalein Atoll during work/study programs at NMSU in the early 1960’s.

Tom was a great big brother, initiating games such as “chair tag”, and the rope swing around the big tree in our back yard. He was the adventurer in the family – Read More

RONDA JONES Nov. 4, 1959 – March 23, 2021

Ronda Jones, 61, of Los Alamos, passed away on March 23, 2021. Her final days were spent surrounded by family.

Ronda was a free spirit. She loved to play her fiddle and make music with her friends. Attending bluegrass festivals and outdoor camping were some of her favorite things. Known by her friends as “mama bear,” she was always there when one needed help.

Ronda was born on November 4, 1959, in Gary, Indiana, and grew up in Los Alamos where she enjoyed skiing and learned to play the piano. After graduating from LAHS in 1977, she attended the University of New Read More

DAVID C. BUCKLAND (date withheld at request of family)

This world has truly lost a bright light with the recent passing of David Buckland.

David loved life and his passions made him a gifted musician (Blackjack Davey); a truly dedicated, compassionate teacher (Mr. B); an avid, enthusiastic skier (the Purple Haze); a steadfast ally to his friends (Davey); a thoroughly delighted pal with his first ever pup Lexie; and the most loving, supportive, playmate, lover and best friend to his wife TJ who adored him beyond words. 

His optimism, enthusiasm for life and generous nature flowed through his Read More

CARL JOHNSON March 22, 2021

Carl Johnson, Jr., 90, of Los Alamos passed away on March 22,2021.

He was proceeded in death by his wife Dorothy Johnson and his parents Carl Sr. and Ida Johnson.

Carl was born in Dolomite, Alabama. He served in the United States Air Force and later worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

He was full of life and loved to joke with people and enjoyed quail and turkey hunting.

Carl is survived by his granddaughter Crystal Zamir and her husband Khalil.

He was a devout Catholic and was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Los Alamos. Read More

DESIREE RUTH (TAFOYA) ST. ONGE July 22, 1966 – March 18, 2021

Desiree Ruth (Tafoya) St. Onge was born July 22, 1966 and passed away March 18, 2021 at the age of 54.

Services will be held on Saturday April 10, 2021 at 12:00pm at San Juan Bautista Chapel in San Juan Pueblo, 1 Church Cir., San Juan Pueblo, NM 87566.

We will be gathering after church services to share some of our favorite memories, our stories, to laugh, to cry, and remember a wonderful person who will be greatly missed, 26 Private Road 1149, Española, NM 87532 – La Mesilla area. Read More

ROBERTA MARIE CUNNINGHAM STRAIGHT Sept. 7, 1940 – March 22, 2021

Roberta “Bobbye” Straight was born on September 7, 1940 in Amarillo, Texas and came with her family to Oklahoma where she grew up.

She graduated from Bartlesville’s College High School as a National Merit Scholar in 1958, received a Bachelor’s Degree from Kansas University in Lawrence, Kansas in 1962 and a Master’s Degree in English from Arizona University in Tucson, Arizona in 1967.

While attending KU, Bobbye married her husband of 59 years, Dr. James (Jim) William Straight, also from Bartlesville, OK, on August 12, 1961. The Read More