Obituaries

WENDY JO MCGUIRE Oct. 4, 1948 – Feb. 8, 2017

Wendy passed away in her apartment at the Albuquerque Grand Sr. Living on February 8th, 2017. She hadn’t lived there long and always felt it would be temporary, but in that time she had made friends and become essential to the running of the place. The memorial the manager and others created for her was lovely and memorable. But now that it’s fall, with Wendy’s birthday approaching, it’s time for a celebration of her life at the farm, which she had loved since 2000.

Wendy spent her school years in the Los Alamos school system (attending Read More

RICHARD P. BEST Sept. 7, 1924 – Aug. 26, 2017

At the age of 92, Richard P. Best passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 26, 2017, in Scottsdale, Arizona, surrounded by his loving children.

Richard was born in Paris, Illinois, on Sunday, September 7, 1924, the only child of Paul and Dorothy Mae Best. He graduated from Paris High School 1942 and headed to college at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he became a proud and significantly involved lifelong member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

During his first semester of his freshman year at DePauw, he enlisted in the Army and Read More

HARRIET A. DODDER Nov. 24, 1929 – Aug. 27, 2017

Harriet A. Dodder, 87, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away on August 27, 2017 at the Los Alamos Medical Center following a sudden illness, with her nephew, nieces and lifelong friends by her side.

Harriet was born in Pine City, MN November 24, 1929 to Hans and Salma Grandt. She attended country school and graduated from Pine City High School in 1947. She went to the University of Minnesota to obtain a teaching degree. She also met her future husband, Donald Dodder, who was getting a graduate degree in nuclear physics. They married in 1951 and moved to Los Read More

THOMAS WILSON HORNSBY III Feb. 3, 1983 – Sept. 5, 2017

Thomas Wilson Hornsby III, 34 of Parker, Colorado went to be with the Lord on September 5, 2017. Thomas was born in Los Alamos, NM on February 3, 1983. He attended Barranca Mesa Elementary school, Los Alamos Middle School, and Los Alamos High School. He received his Bachelors Degree in E-Business from Westwood College of Technology Denver in 2004. He was an IT Security Manager at Dish Network.

Thomas was the loving Husband of 7 years to Jamey, Proud Father of son Thomas Wilson Hornsby IV and daughter Jepsyn of Parker, Colorado and Stepfather to Read More

GLEN A. GRAVES Nov. 11, 1927 – Sept. 12, 2017

Glen A. Graves of 80 Barranca Road, a 67-year resident of Los Alamos, died Tuesday evening of complications from a stroke. He is survived by his sons Frank (in Boston), John (in Newport Beach, CA) and Thomas (now in Los Alamos), as well as one sister, Maxine Mann (in Bloomington IN), still surviving from his four siblings. His wife Sue passed away in March of 2016, and is now resting at Guaje Pines, where Glen will also be interred.

Glen was born on November 11, 1927, in Stanford Indiana, a small town near Bloomington Indiana. He grew up on a farm that faced significant Read More

RICHARD (DICK) WARNES Aug. 16, 2017

Richard (Dick) Warnes, 84, died Wednesday, August 16, 2017 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Dick was born in Chicago and lived in Indiana, California and then New Mexico where he and his wife lived for 47 years in Los Alamos before moving to Albuquerque. He died in the compassionate care of Mi Casa at La Vida Llena and Hospice of New Mexico.

Dick is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children, Bill Warnes, and wife, Roberta, Linda Penaloza and husband, Robert; and his grandchildren, Alexander and Ian. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Read More

ELLIOTT HARRISON CLAY Nov. 10, 1995 – Sept. 1, 2017

Elliott Harrison Clay, of San Jose, California, passed away on Friday morning, September 1, 2017. He was 21 years old.

Elliott was born in Los Alamos, New Mexico on November 10, 1995, and he would always consider Los Alamos his home. Elliott was very active in his younger years, and greatly enjoyed scouting, baseball, football, and basketball. He also had a natural affinity for music, mathematics and science, which were talents he pursed throughout his life.

In the summer of 2001, when Elliott was five, his family moved from Los Alamos for a year Read More

CAROLYN T. ORTEGA Aug. 28, 2017

Carolyn T. Ortega, 86, passed away August 28, 2017 after a very brief illness with members of her family by her side.

She is survived by her children, Amanda McNeese and husband, David, David Ortega and wife, Kay, Anna Ortega and husband, Gerald Greenhouse and Paul Ortega; grandchildren, Mike and wife, Wendy, Leisa and husband, Jay, Carly and husband, Doug, Daniel, Alicia, Andrew, Emilee and Nathan; and great-grandchildren, Ivey, Myles, Lili, Logan, Calden, Layton and Madeline. She is also survived by her siblings, Lucy, Angie, Louise and husband, Randy, Rosie, Read More

LAWRY WEBB MANN July 9, 1931 – Sept. 2, 2017

Lawry Webb Mann, 86, passed away peacefully at his home Saturday, September 2, 2017, while surrounded by his loving family.  Lawry was a man who gave much to his family, church, community and nation.  He made the world a better place and will have a place in our hearts forever.

He was born July 9, 1931 in Yakima, Washington. When Lawry was 11 years old, his father Oren, mother Barbara and brother Jerry moved to Candle, Alaska, just south of the Arctic Circle. This was truly a highlight of his life and started his love of travelling. After World War Read More

ROSA LEE SMITH Aug. 28, 2017

Rosa Lee Smith, 101, passed away on Monday, August 28, 2017 in Los Alamos.

She was raised in Texas and graduated from Stanton High School in Stanton, Texas. She married in 1933 to J.E. Herring and they lived in Denver City, Texas, where she was the city secretary. Rosa Lee and J.E. had one daughter, Jerry Eugenia Herring. They divorced in 1948.

Rosa Lee had an insurance company in Denver City, TX. She met and married Art Smith in 1952 and they moved to Hobbs, NM. They moved to Farmington in 1958 and they loved it. She was active in the First United Methodist Church, golf, Eastern Read More

GEORGE GRANT HILL April 19, 1930 – Aug. 27, 2017

George Grant Hill, age 87, passed away peacefully in his home on August 27th, 2017. George was born on April 19, 1930 in Lisbon Falls, Maine. He attended the University of Maine, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.

In 1952, George married the love of his life, Donna Lord. George and Donna had two children; David and Kathryn (Kathy). They lived in St. Albans, West Virginia for eight years where he worked for Union Carbide Corporation, specializing in Olefin plant design. In 1962, the Hills moved to Los Alamos, NM. George Read More

MITCHELL JAMES RENDELL Aug. 7, 1942 – Aug. 22, 2017

Mitchell James Rendell, 75, passed away Tuesday, August 22, 2017.

Mitch was born on August 7, 1942 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to the late Carroll and Gladys Rendell.  He married Sally Macaulay Mary Butler on October 24, 1963.

Mitch served in the United States Navy for 22 years with assignments all over the world including Okinawa, Japan, and Melbourne, Australia.  After his time in the Navy, he worked for many years as a budget analyst and had a business degree from the University of Maryland. He was active in retirement, playing golf several Read More

HERTA SCHMIDT June 17, 2017

Herta Schmidt, 95, of Santa Fe passed away on June 17, 2017.

A rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 28, followed by internment at 1:30 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Berardinelli Funeral Home.​ Read More

NELSON Q. ATENCIO Aug. 20, 2017

Nelson Quirino Atencio, age 88, beloved father and brother, passed away peacefully, Sunday, August 20, 2017. He was born in Dixon, NM and was a resident of Albuquerque.

Nelson was a proud Veteran who served our country in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. Nelson was a respected Church Elder and usher for many years at The United Church of Los Alamos. He enjoyed ice fishing, fly fishing, hunting, and horses.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Quirino and Corina Atencio; his wife, Vita; his son, Orlando; siblings, Hector, Dennis, John Atencio Read More

LOIS ANN ALEXANDER ​Sept. 29, 1931 – Aug. 8, 2017 

Lois Ann Alexander, 85, passed away in Grand Junction, Colorado on August 8, 2017.

Lois was born on September 29, 1931, in Sigel, Wisconsin, to the Reverend Gustav and Emma Krueger. She was the fourth of six children. Lois attended the Milwaukee School of Nursing and then moved to Denver, Colorado, in 1955 to live with her sister Jean, and to work at Colorado General Hospital. On April 1, 1957, Lois and her dear friend, Nancy Maltrud, borrowed and loaded up a green Hornet and headed to a land unknown–Los Alamos, New Mexico–to Read More

KATHLEEN (KATHY) ANN GIBBONS Feb. 6, 1962 – Aug. 13, 2017

Kathy had a very big heart and was loved by many. All she wanted to do in her life was to help everyone she encountered; especially those in need. Wherever she went she made people happy, satisfied, and content. She had a very good work ethic and did everything with integrity. She loved working at Verizon and Smith’s Marketplace while she worked there.

Though we lost her very unexpectedly, we will always love her and hold her in our hearts. She is preceded in death by her Father, Virgil Scott, and her Sister, Sandra Embry.

She is survived by her mother Read More

DOROTHY MOZELL MINOR Jan. 5, 1925 – Aug. 14, 2017

Dorothy Mozell Minor passed away peacefully on August 14, 2017 after a long illness. She was 92. Dorothy was born January 5, 1925 in Tyler, Texas and later moved to San Angelo. It was there she met Stanley Daily her first husband. They were married in 1942 and then moved to Nebraska, Stan’s home state. In 1951 Stan got a job with the Pro Force in Los Alamos. He later worked for the LASL as a metallurgist.

Stan preceded Dorothy in death July 20, 1968.

After Stan’s passing, Dorothy remained in Los Alamos, working at administration department of LASL.

Dorothy Read More

ROSE ELIZABETH BUTERA June 9, 1923 – Aug. 7, 2017

Rose Butera passed away on August 7, 2017. She was preceded in death by her parents Salvatore and Laura Mantione, her two husbands John Giannelli and Charles Butera, and her two sisters and their husbands Josephine and Archie “Pete” Roebuck and Annabel and Floyd “Bob” Schrader.

Rose was born and grew up in The Bronx, NY and later moved to Queens. She loved learning and teaching others what she had learned. Rose also loved crafting and was very active at the local Senior Center. She was a very outgoing and social person who, perhaps above all, loved to Read More

LONNIE F. DURAN Dec. 4, 2016

Lonnie F. Duran, 56 of Dixon, went to his Everlasting Life on December 4, 2016. He is preceded in death by his beloved mother Eliza Duran, and grandparents, Abelino and Nicanora Duran and Fidel and Delfina Martinez.

He first attended catholic school in Dixon, then in Los Alamos, and graduated from Espanola in 1978. Upon graduation he left to Kansas and joined Ironworkers Local 10, then returned to Albuquerque where he completed his apprenticeship with Local 495. Soon after he began his life with “Gin,” they had their son and was lucky enough to retire from KSL in Los Alamos, Read More

MICHAEL F. PASIEKA June 21, 2017

Michael F. Pasieka, age 54, beloved son and brother, passed away on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. 

Michael was an accomplished and skilled registered nurse, and had expertise in many areas, from ER to OR to flight nurse. He began his interest and training in nursing at the Los Alamos Medical Center shortly after graduating from Los Alamos High School. Michael had recently received his license to practice nursing in the state of Alaska, and he was considering certification for addiction recovery support counseling. He was, above all else, a true health care professional.  Read More

ROBERTA TOLEDO Aug. 3, 2017

Roberta Toledo, 61, a resident of Rio Lucio (Penasco) passed away on Thursday, August 3, 2017.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Frances Padilla; and her niece, Michelle Decoteau (Padilla).

Roberta was born in Albuquerque and moved with her family to Los Alamos when she was 12 years old. She graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1973 and went on to serve two years in the United States Marines working at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Roberta’s creativity, finesse, and technical expertise provided her with a broad spectrum of job opportunities, Read More

STELLA PACHECO July 31, 2017

Stella Pacheco, 67, a resident of Rio Lucio (Peñasco) passed away to be with our Lord on Monday, July 31, 2017, with her loving children by her side.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Octaviano and Adiana Pacheco; her maternal grandparents, Jose and Pablita Pacheco; paternal grandparents, Moses and Sophia Pacheco; her spouse of 47 years, Francis Sanchez; sister, Merlinda Vigil; brothers, Charlie Pacheco, Octaviano Pacheco Jr. and Joe Pacheco; special nephew, Joe (Shorty) Mondragon and grandson, Christopher Lueras, may all their souls rest in peace.

Stella Read More

BETH RAMAGE BRESHEARS Aug. 5, 1966 – June 14, 2017

Beth Ramage Breshears, age 50, of White Rock passed from this earth into the loving arms of Jesus on June 14, 2017, after a courageous journey through ALS.

She was born August 5, 1966 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Thomas Warren and Jane Terry Ramage, who preceded her in death.

She attended Augusta, Georgia schools including the Academy of Richmond County, where she was Valedictorian and a cheerleader. She graduated from Furman University in 1988 with a degree in Accounting. She and Scott got married the same year. After earning her CPA, she joined Read More

RAYMOND HENRY MORK August 19, 1926 – July 19, 2017

Born August 19, 1926 in Jamestown, ND, Raymond Henry Mork passed away peacefully after a long, full life on July 19, 2017, just a month short of his 91st birthday.

Ray grew up in Jamestown with his older brother, Bob, and loved to retell stories about the adventures (often mischievous!) he had in his childhood neighborhood. Competing in both track and football, Ray was a superior athlete in high school and college, setting several school records. He graduated from high school, then attended Jamestown College before transferring to NDSU Read More

MARIA “MARY” ELLA BUCKLAND July 24, 2017

Maria “Mary” Ella Buckland, 90, long time Los Alamos resident died July 24, 2017 at her home.

She was born and lived in Las Vegas, New Mexico for 17 years and came to Los Alamos to work for the U.S. Army Engineers in August, 1945. She met her future husband, Carl W. Buckland, at a dance at Theater #2 and as Carl would say, “That was the end of that story.” They soon fell in love and were married on August 1946. They remained in Los Alamos and Mary Ella enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom raising their four children and doing volunteer work for church, schools, and community. Read More

TREVOR MICHAEL MATUSZAK Aug. 10, 1997 – July 24, 2017

Trevor Michael Matuszak, 19, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 24, 2017 while hiking in the White Rock Canyon.

He was born August 10, 1997 in Jackson, Tennessee, later moving to Santa Fe and finally to Los Alamos in 2004. Trevor graduated from Los Alamos High School in 2015 and was about to start his junior year at New Mexico State University, studying Athletic Training.

Trevor was a very caring, fun-loving happy young adult that was a joy to have around. He touched the lives of many and was a blessing to have in this world. Everyone that knew Read More

MEREDITH MADSEN MATLACK Oct. 9, 1921 – July 9, 2017

Meredith Madsen Matlack died at her home in Los Alamos, New Mexico early on the morning of July 9, 2017. She was 95.

Meredith was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on Oct. 9, 1921, the firstborn child of Martin C. Madsen and Ethel Huffer. She met George Miller Matlack when they were chemistry majors at Grinnell College in Iowa, and they married in 1943. She worked as a blood technician to help him through his Ph.D at the University of Iowa. They moved to Los Alamos in 1949 with two toddler daughters, Nancy and Christine; their sons Martin and Allyn were born Read More

KENNETH L. GONZALES May 24, 1960 – July 9, 2017

Kenneth L. Gonzales, age 57, passed away on July 9, 2017 in El Paso, Texas.

Kenneth was born in Espanola, NM on May 24, 1960, and raised in Los Alamos, NM. He was a graduate of Los Alamos High School 1979 and entered into the Airforce after graduation.

Kenneth was a Supervisory Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer in El Paso at the time of his passing.  Supervisor Gonzales worked at the Port of El Paso at the Ysleta Bridge and was promoted to Supervisor in April of 2015.

He served honorably with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as well as the Read More

BARBARA ANN (HAYGOOD) JUSTICE Nov. 18, 1933 – July 2, 2017

Barbara Ann (Haygood) Justice, aged 83, passed away at her home in White Rock, NM, on July 2nd, 2017. She was with family at her passing.

Barbara was born November 18th, 1933, in Rensselaer, Indiana to Oren and Louise Haygood. She was one of 8 children. She married Dorwin Justice May 21st, 1955 at Lafayette, Indiana. They had two children, Robin (son) and Pamela (daughter). In 1965 the family moved to Albuquerque, and in 1968 they moved to Los Alamos.

Barbara managed convenience stores for 7-11 Company, Brewer Oil, and the San Ildefonso Pueblo. Read More

BENERITO ‘BENNY’ CORDOVA Jan. 18, 1924 – July 6, 2017

​Benerito ‘Benny’ Cordova, known as Benny, was born on Jan. 18, 1924 and raised in Truchas, NM. Went on to be with the Lord on July 6, 2017.

He was preceded in death by his parents Maximano and Galacia Cordova; brothers, Alberto and Ernesto Cordova; sister, Sarafina Cordova; daughters, Sarah and Isabel Cordova, and many grandchildren.

Benny is survived by his wife Isabel Cordova; sons, Sammy (Irma) Cordova, Ross Cordova, Medardo Cordova (Betty), Bobby (Carol) Cordova; daughters, Cecilia (Sam) Gonzales, Kathey (Rick) Montoya, Susan Abeyta, Read More

STELLA TRUJILLO Feb. 1, 1947 – July 9, 2017

Our beloved, Stella Trujillo, 70, passed away on Sunday, July 9, 2017 surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Stella was preceded in death by her parents, Jose and Ida Trujillo; and brother, Ernie Trujillo. Stella will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her husband, Tony Trujillo; daughter, Susie Trujillo-Martinez (Dominic), son, Ronald Trujillo (Peggy); grandchildren, Amanda Quintana (Allen), Victoria Trujillo and Ariana Trujillo; siblings, Henry Trujillo (Margarita), Maria-Rae Desmond (Reggie), Santiago Read More

GEOFFREY B. MILLS July 31, 1955 – July 3, 2017

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Geoffrey B. Mills announces his passing on July 3, 2017 after a truly courageous 18 month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Geoff is preceded in death by his father, Frederick Eugene III. He is survived by Ellen, his wife of 39 years, his sons Jonathan and Alex of Albuquerque, his mother Joyanne of Oro Valley, Arizona, and his sister Debbie and his brother Dan, both of Illinois.

Geoff was born in Ithaca, New York on July 31, 1955. Soon after the family moved to Madison, Wisconsin where Read More