Obituaries

MATILDA ‘EVELYN’ VOOS Oct. 13, 1941 – March 26, 2024

Beloved wife to Raymond Voos, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at her home in Rio Rancho, NM. She was 82 years old.

Born Monday, October 13, 1941, in Mora, NM, Evelyn was the cherished daughter of Amadeo and Amanda Sanchez. She grew up in Los Alamos, NM, with her two brothers; Amo and Eddie, where she developed a love for the outdoors as well as for her arts and crafts. She was an avid wood carver, stained glass artist and a talented painter.

After completing her Business Administration education Read More

JONATHAN PORTER March 25, 1938 – March 26, 2024

Jonathan Porter, Professor Emeritus of Chinese History and Asian Studies at the University of New Mexico, died peacefully at home on March 26, 2024 in Chupadero, a rural community in Santa Fe, after surviving more than two decades with metastatic prostate cancer. He was 86.

Jonathan was born on March 25, 1938 in Boston to Eliot Furness Porter, a photographer, and Aline Kilham, a painter. In July 1946, the family drove out west to move to Tesuque, New Mexico. Eliot would later write, “When we crossed the border into New Mexico, we stopped by the roadside Read More

DONALD E. GERHEART June 28, 1942 – March 21, 2024

Donald E. Gerheart, loving husband and father of two, passed away Thursday, March 21,  2024 at age 81.

Don was born on June 28, 1942, to Stephen and Margaret S. Gerheart in Palmerton, PA. Don earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1964 and Master’s Degree in 1969, in Music Education both from the University of Wyoming in Laramie.

On June 6, 1964, he married Jane Seltenrich and together they raised two children, Ann Marie and Charles Stephen in their home in White Rock where Don resided for 57 years.

Don spent 27 years in the Los Alamos Public Schools, after Read More

JEANNE LORRAINE COTTER Dec. 31, 1928 – March 7, 2024

Jeanne Cotter died peacefully at the age of 95 at El Castillo in Santa Fe, NM, with her daughters by her side.

Jeanne was elegant, gracious and a loyal friend to many. She loved a party, had a quick wit and  cared for others. She dearly loved her family and sharing adventures with them. She loved the outdoors and traveling to see the people and mountains of the world.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Ted Cotter, and her partner after she was widowed, Richard Colgate.

She is survived by her children Lise Muzny (Chris) and Sheila Read More

DENNIS ALFRED MONAGHAN Sept. 15, 1936 − March 22, 2024

Dennis Alfred Monaghan, born in Spokane, WA on September 15, 1936, passed away peacefully in Albuquerque NM on Friday March 22, 2024. Dennis passed just 17 days after his wife of 65 years, ‘Kie’ Monaghan, passed away on March 5, 2024. They were with each other until the very end, as they had lived most of their lives.

Dennis was preceded in death by his mother and father, Alfred & Ann Monaghan, his wife, Carol Ann Swears, and his two sons, Kevin and Todd Monaghan.

Dennis is survived by his two daughters, Kristy & Teri Monaghan, his sister Read More

JIM BARTON FINLEY June 16, 1928 – April 5, 2024

Jim Barton Finley passed away on April 5, 2024. He was born to Wilma and Leo Finley on June 16, 1928, in Miami, Oklahoma.

He was a sweet and loving man who adored his family deeply. In 1951, he married Rose (Rosie) Marie Shelton in Norman, Oklahoma, and together they shared a life of memories, adventure and love. Jim was a graduate of the University of Oklahoma as a mechanical engineer and worked for 36 years for Los Alamos National Laboratory. He was a dedicated father to Gail, Jim and Linda, instilling in them the values of laughter and adventure.

In addition Read More

SHARON LYNNE (MADISON) PAYNE Aug. 5, 1941 – April 2, 2024

Sharon Lynne Payne died at her home in Los Alamos, NM, on April 2, 2024, at the age of 82. 

Sharon was born on August 5, 1941, in Red Wing, MN to David and Geraldine Madison.  She graduated from Central High School, Red Wing, MN.

Sharon met her husband Edwin Payne in high school. They were married in Red Wing, MN on December 12, 1964.

Sharon worked as a medical transcriptionist for 15 years. She was an excellent cook and  enjoyed looking after her home and yard. She also sang in a Madrigal group in Red Wing, MN and enjoyed being active in Safford, Read More

DONALD EUGENE VANCE  April 3, 2024

Donald Eugene Vance, age 84, passed away April 3, 2024 at his home in Santa Fe, NM.

He is survived by his wife Barbara, to whom he was married for 56 years, his son Matthew Vance and wife Lisa Schatz-Vance, grandson Rowan Vance, his daughter Tracy Archuleta, and granddaughter Alexandra Archuleta.

Donald was born in Mt. Vernon, IL to Anna Marie and Walter Vance. He was the only son with 3 sisters: Sandra, Patsy, and Audrey. He attended school in Raton, NM and graduated from NM State University. He served in the United States Air Force as a Captain. After he retired from Read More

IDA SERNA PACHECO Sept. 7, 1927 – APRIL 4, 2024

It is with immense sorrow and broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved matriarch, Ida Serna Pacheco. Ida departed peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones on April 4th at the age of ninety-six. Her life was a radiant tapestry, intricately woven with threads of tradition, faith, wisdom, strength, and boundless love. Her infectious humor and playful nature brought laughter and joy to all who knew her.

Ida was born on September 7, 1927, in El Guache, New Mexico to the late Adan Serna and Onofre Salazar Serna. She was predeceased by her Read More

PHILIP WILLIAM LEONARD March 19, 1979 – Feb. 27, 2024

Dr. Philip William Leonard, “Phil” to his friends, was born to Carole Franda and John Leonard in McLean, Virginia. After graduating from McLean High School, Phil attended the University of Chicago, where he pursued his bachelor’s degree and took graduate chemistry classes concurrently, and researching chemical synthesis in the Wulff and Eaton laboratories. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with both his bachelor’s and master’s in chemistry in 2001.

His graduate studies continued at University of California – Berkeley, where he was Read More