Terry Foxx speaks of her friend of more than 45 years, Dorothy Hoard, at today’s celebration of her life held at Bandelier. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Bandelier Rangers honor Dorothy Hoard. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

BANDELIER—Family, friends and fans of longtime Los Alamos historian and author Dorothy Hoard celebrated her life and legacy at a special ceremony today in the amphitheater at Bandelier National Monument. Hoard died March 3 in her Los Alamos home surrounded by loved ones, after a short illness.

This morning’s celebration of her life drew perfect weather to the perfect location where every song played and word spoken to describe and honor this remarkable woman was simply perfect.

“I was friends with Dorothy for more than 45 years and we never had a fight,” fellow author Terry Foxx told the crowd.

Foxx led this morning’s opening prayer and invited everyone to join in celebrating Hoard’s life, her passions, her contributions, and above all, her legacy of love for the land and those who walked it with her, in her footsteps and in her spirit. She also read a poem she authored to honor Hoard.

Hoard was an avid hiker; she loved plants and the topography of the land. She poured her love into several books on local subjects, including a guide to Bandelier National Monument; a plant identification guide with Foxx who is a botanist; a study of historic roads of Los Alamos; and a book on Los Alamos homesteaders with archaeologist Ellen McGehee and historian Judith Machen.

Concerned about preservation of cultural sites on county land, Hoard secured addition of parts of White Rock Canyon and several historic roads in Los Alamos to the National Register of Historic Places.

Bandelier Superintendent Jason Lott spoke of Hoard’s gifts to Bandelier, which among the many was that she was a founder and president of the Friends of Bandelier for 27 years. Colleen Olinger shared tales of Hoard and her gifts to Los Alamos Historical Society and the history of the Los Alamos area. Becky Oertel spoke of Hoard’s gifts to the Pajarito Environmental Education Center and the Valles Caldera National Preserve. 

County Open Space Specialist Craig Martin calls Dorothy the most important mentor of his adult life. He and his Craig Martin Experience band played at this morning’s celebration to honor his dear friend. He has mentioned that she left him a list of projects she wanted him to complete.

Hoard was born July 30, 1932 in Carmel, Calif. She attended the University of California at Berkeley and soon after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry, married Donald Ellsworth Hoard July 3, 1954. The couple arrived in Los Alamos in 1963. They had five children. She was employed by Los Alamos Scientific/National Laboratory for 23 years, first in inorganic analytical chemistry, then environmental cleanup.

Hoard’s husband and other family members attended this morning’s celebration of her life at which she was decribed as a wonderful New Mexican, naturalist, historian, author, scientist, wife, mother, grandmother, hiking companion, world trveler, friend to all, and a thousand other things.

Craig Martin, third from right, brought his band, The Craig Martin Experience, to perform and celebrate the life of Dorothy Hoard. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Bandelier Superintendent Jason Lott remembers Friends of Bandelier Founder/President Dorothy Hoard. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Terry Foxx and Ranger Tom Betts. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Colleen Olinger spoke of Dorothy Hoard and her gifts to Los Alamos Historical Society and the history of the Los Alamos area. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Becky Oertel spoke of Dorothy Hoard’s gifts to PEEC and the Valles Caldera Preserve. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Dorothy Hoard’s husband, Donald Ellsworth Hoard at today’s ceremony. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Dorothy Hoard’s paintings and drawings. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Friends lined up to share short talks on a special remembrance they have of Dorothy Hoard, video taped by Jean Gindreau of PAC 8 with Executive Director Heather McClenahan of the Los Alamos Historical Society. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

The Craig Martin Experience performs to celebrate the life of Dorothy Hoard. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Snacks and finger foods were served following today’s celebration of Dorothy Hoard’s life. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com