Obituaries

J. ARTHUR FREED June 21, 2022

J. Arthur Freed, 92, died on June 21, 2022 in Los Alamos, NM. He was a long-time resident of Los Alamos, helping to provide library service for the Los Alamos National Laboratory from 1958 until his retirement in 1991. He was the Head Librarian/Group Leader of the Library Services Group (IS-4) during 1970-1990.

He was born in Los Angeles to the late James E. and Rose Freed. The family then also included his late, older brother, David. He and his family moved to San Francisco in 1932. Arthur always considered San Francisco his home town.

He attended the University of California, Read More

ANDREW HIME March 22, 1964 – June 23, 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Andrew Hime, 58, in California June 23, 2022.

Andrew is the beloved son of Anne and David Hime and much-loved brother of Stephen (Amy) and Louise (Gary) and sons Adam (Haley) and Aaron. Andrew is uncle to Sarah (Yash), Justin (Mackenna), Angela and Steven (Nicki). He also leaves behind relatives in England and many friends around the globe in the places that he lived, worked and traveled.

Andrew was born in England March 22, 1964 and emigrated to Canada at age 3 with his family. He spent his formative years Read More

ORCINA MOTA TORREZ Oct. 20, 1935 – June 30, 2022

Orcina Mota Torrez was born on October 20, 1935 in Ajo, Arizona.

She passed away after an extended hospital stay on June 30, 2022. She was 86 years old.

Orcina is survived by her daughter, Nicole Torrez (boyfriend Justin Peruzzi); son Wayne Torrez and grandson Jacob Torrez. She is also survived by her brothers and sister; Edumundo “Mickey” Mota, Horacio Mota (Hortencia Mota) and Roberta Moore (Donald Moore). Orcina had many nieces, nephews, and godchildren who were very special to her.

Orcina was a loving and caring Mother who was involved in all aspects Read More

JOHN JOSEPH GUENETTE Dec. 3, 1929 – July 4, 2022

John Joseph Guenette was born in Medford, MA, Dec. 3, 1929, and died in Los Alamos, NM, July 4, 2022, at the age of 92.

He was a gentle and loving man with great integrity, and will be missed by all.

John was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Margaret (Toth) Guenette; his parents, Clarence Edward and Emily Gladys (Pickard) Guenette; his infant son, John Peter; and his siblings, Doris Roberts, Louise Marshall, Alfred Guenette, and Eugenie Marie Guenette.

The first forty-one years of John’s life were spent in the Boston area where he established Read More

DOROTHY MARIE BATY Feb. 15, 1933 − July 3, 2022

Dorothy Marie Baty (aged 89) of Salt Lake City, Utah died peacefully on July 3, 2022, after a long illness.

She was born in Cameron, Texas on February 15, 1933, to Thomas Watson Batey and Annie Floyd Day. She graduated from Yoe High School of Cameron and later received her B.S. from the University of Texas at Austin in Elementary Education.

She married Roy Samuel Baty, Jr. on July 30th, 1955, at the University Methodist Church in Austin, and celebrated 66 years of marriage with him. In her early adult life, Dorothy was an elementary school teacher before Read More

DONALD FRANCIS KENDALL Oct. 4, 2020

Donald Francis Kendall passed away peacefully in Los Alamos, New Mexico on Oct. 4, 2020, shy of his 86th birthday. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. He and his wife of 63 years, Frances, raised 5 children in the SF Bay Area, first in Oakland, then in Concord, CA.

In 2007 they moved away from their home of many decades in the Bay Area to Los Alamos, NM to retire and be near their son and oldest child, Gregory.

Donald was born the oldest child, and only son, to Ellen and Donald Kendall Sr. in Ross, CA in Marin County, CA near Sausalito, but grew up traveling Read More

MARJORIE FLO BUTLER June 19, 2022

Marjorie Flo Butler, 91, of Fort Collins, Colorado, died June 19, 2022.

She was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and graduated from high school in Tulsa, earning a Bachelor’s Degrees in English and Education in Oklahoma, and a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Denver.

She married Harold S. Butler in 1954 in Tulsa, and they celebrated 56 years of marriage before his death in 2010.

Flo and Hal lived in Palo Alto, California, while he was a graduate student at Stanford University and where their daughter, Nanette, was born. Then the Read More

Sam Kendricks July 6, 2022

“For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.” ~Khalil Gibran

It breaks my heart to have to share this news. This morning, July 6, 2022, my husband, Sam Kendricks, departed this realm of existence for the next. He did not wish to leave us so soon, but his body grew weary.

Sam was lighthearted and fun unless the situation required seriousness. He specifically asked that he not have a traditional funeral.

While I don’t have any plans for a service yet, I will be organizing a celebration Read More

MARY LOUISE FILIP Sept. 17, 1923 – June 11, 2022

It is with sad hearts that we share the passing of Marie Louise Filip. Marie died Saturday, June 11, 2022, at GrandView Care Lodge in Grand Junction, CO; she was 98 years old.

She is survived by her sons Jan Janecka and Fred Filip, daughter Marie [Filip] Bledsoe, son-in-law Scott Bledsoe, grand-son Skyler Bledsoe, many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, plus extended family, and friends. All of whom she loved.

What do you say about a life well lived where each moment was important, and every relationship was precious?

Marie was born Read More

ROBERT MCCORMICK July 5, 1935 – June 23, 2022

Robert McCormick, born on July 5, 1935, died peacefully at home on June 23, 2022.

He was the son of Joe and Louise McCormick and grew up in the mining town of Santa Rita, NM, before joining the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict.

He then graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1961 with a degree in mechanical engineering and moved to Los Alamos to work at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory until his retirement in 1991.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Freda; his son, Patrick (JoAnn Lysne); his sister, Mary Jo Tillman; and extended Read More

STELLA CHÁVEZ USNER Nov. 25, 1922 – June 24, 2022

Stella Chávez Usner passed away on June 24, 2022. She was born Maria Estela Chávez on November 25, 1922, to Abedón Chávez and Benigna Ortega in Durango, Colorado.

In 1928, “Stella” moved with her parents and new little brother, Leo, to Chimayó, where her parents were originally from. She entered the John Hyson mission school, where she was one of the few second-graders fluent and literate in both Spanish and English. Ever precocious, Stella left Chimayó when she was only 12—soon after her second brother, Robert, was born—to attend the Allison James Read More

ROGER WILLIAM TAYLOR Dec. 25, 1937 – Oct. 12, 2020

Roger William Taylor was born December 25, 1937 in St. Johns, Michigan. He passed away on October 12, 2020, at the age of 82.

Roger was a beloved resident of Albuquerque and Los Alamos. He was loved and will be greatly missed.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Rob Jagger Campground near Capitan, New Mexico. (Proceed east on highway 380 past Capitan to highway 220. Head south one mile on highway 220 to Rob Jagger Campground /Ft. Stanton.

The celebration will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 13, 2022.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial Read More

PEGGY JEANETTE HUME Dec. 20, 1948 – June 26, 2022

Longtime Los Alamos resident, Peggy (“Peg”) Jeanette Hume, age 73, passed away on June 26, 2022, in Albuquerque, NM, after a valiant fight with cancer.

She was born December 20, 1948, in Renton, WA.

Peg is survived by four siblings: Vikki (Conrad Smith) Kestell of Albuquerque, NM; Ken (Susan) Kestell of Albuquerque, NM; Pat (Susan) Kestell of Los Alamos, NM; and Laura Lea (Carlo “Moose”) Heath of Bernalillo, NM. She is also survived by thirteen nieces and nephews and a large and growing number of great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded Read More

JOHN H. KOTTMANN May 14, 1935 – June 25, 2022

John H. Kottmann, Age 87 was born May 14, 1935, in Davenport, IA and passed away June 25, 2022, at his home in White Rock, surrounded by family.

Preceded in death by: parents Oscar Kottmann Sr. and Anna M. Custead, Brothers Arthur R. Kottmann, and Oscar Kottmann Jr. Sisters Margaret B.W. Miller, and Faye G. Kottong and Son Gerald E. Kottmann.

John was a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He was a devoted father. He served in the U.S. Navy from July 1957 until July 1963 as a submariner on the U.S.S. George Washington. Read More

CHARLES (CHUCK) ANDREW FOREST July 3, 1938 – Nov 20, 2021

Charles Andrew Forest (Chuck) had a unique physical presence, a very memorable personality and a distinctive jolly laugh.

He died suddenly of a heart attack in Santa Fe at the age of 83.38356 years. A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, July 9, at the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos. 

Vaccinations and masks are required in the church. 

Chuck was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Margaret Dahlgren (1903-1979) and Joseph (Schnitzmeier) Forest (1898-1958). He was the youngest of their 4 children, all of whom preceded him in death: Read More

MARY JO PARKER June 14, 2022

Mary knew it was time to go. In the early morning of June 14, 2022, Mary peacefully left this Earth to join her beloved Paul in heaven.

The saying goes, “Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much,” this easily describes Mary’s life. Mary Jo was born in Owensville, Missouri to William and Mae Moses. She was the first girl after a string of four boys. She was followed by another brother and sister.

She spoke with great fondness when she told stories of growing up in Missouri with a house full of siblings and cousins. She loved God and family above all else. She loved deeply and completely. Read More

LUCILLE BONNER Oct. 21, 1931 – June 9, 2022

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Lucille Bonner, loving and devoted great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, and friend to all whose lives she touched.

Lucille Bonner, 90, a 67-year resident of Los Alamos, died peacefully in her sleep at home and was welcomed into Heaven by Jesus Christ, her Savior and Lord June 9, 2022.  

Lucille was born Oct. 21, 1931, in Houston, TX, the daughter of Ben and Lucille Chambers. She was raised in Texas and moved with her parents to Santa Fe, in 1950, while continuing to attend Hardin-Simmons University Read More

LENORE JEAN CRISLER Dec. 17, 1929 – June 21, 2021

Lenore Jean “Jeanie” Crisler passed away peacefully on Monday June 21, 2021 at the age of 91, at her home in Los Alamos, NM.

Jeanie was born in Dalhart, TX to Joe and Addie Young, the youngest of 5 children. She was the last survivor of her family.  

Jeanie met the love of her life, Leo Crisler, in the 8th grade and they were married in 1948 after Leo returned home from serving in the Navy. Their precious daughter Mary was born a year later. The Crislers moved to Los Alamos in 1951 where they lived the rest of their lives.

Jeanie was preceded in death by her daughter Read More

RUBY MAGDALENA VIGIL JOHNSON April 25, 1926 – June 6, 2022

Ruby Magdalena Vigil Johnson passed away peacefully June 6, 2022, on the anniversary of her father’s birth.

Her sister and her daughter were at her side.

Ruby was born in Cundiyo, New Mexico April 25, 1926 to Noberto Vigil and Elena Trujillo Vigil. Ruby spent her childhood at home taking care of the livestock, fruit trees, beans, and chile alongside her parents, her brother, and her three sisters.

Subsistence farming in an isolated village teaches one strength, resilience, resourcefulness, and responsibility, all of which Ruby exhibited Read More

ELDA MAE STEURY Dec. 29, 1927 – June 4, 2022

Elda Mae Steury danced her way into heaven the morning of June 4, 2022, after spending 34,490 days (94+ years) bringing light and joy to others during her temporary assignment here on earth. Throughout her life, she faithfully served God, worked hard, loved to have fun, and viewed life as an adventure.

Elda was born in an upstairs apartment on National Street in Springfield, Missouri on December 29, 1927, the eldest child of Dossie and Opal Farris. She was 22 months old when the stock market crashed in 1929. As a child of the Great Depression, Elda grew up very Read More

ROBERT (BOB) WILLIAM STOKES Sept. 19, 1932 – May 9, 2022

Robert (Bob) William Stokes, 89, was surrounded by his loving family when he passed away May 9, 2022. We lost him suddenly and are incredibly heart broken. He was still so vibrant and full of life. His compassion and kindness was unmatched and something we’ll always remember. His support and unconditional love for his children, grandchildren and beautiful bride of 60 years, his wife and our Mom, never wavered. You felt it. Always.

He was born September 19, 1932, in Wheat Ridge, CO to Naomi E. (Bailey) and George W. Stokes. He grew up there and Read More

DEVAUN DALE ALLEN Feb. 28, 1932 – June 3, 2022

Celeste Devaun Dale Allen passed away on June 3, 2022, at the age of 90. 

She was born February 28, 1932 in Capitan, New Mexico to Charlie Taylor Dale and Bessie Eugenia Mobley Dale. Devaun grew up in Capitan and Lincoln County, New Mexico. She briefly lived with her sister Ruby in Los Alamos, New Mexico where she attended high school.  Devaun then moved to El Paso, Texas to live with her sister Gladys, where she graduated from Austin High School in 1953.

Devaun returned to Los Alamos in 1955. She loved the mountains of Los Alamos and always considered that Read More

ADELINDA MARTINEZ Aug. 28, 1938 – June 7, 2022

Adelinda “Linda” Martinez, 83 of Espanola, passed away on June 7, 2022, after a lengthy illness.

She was born on August 28, 1938, in Coyote, NM to the late Delubina and Elias Garcia, Sr. She was raised on a ranch alongside her six sisters and three brothers. She graduated from Española High School in 1957. She attended Business College in Albuquerque in 1958.

She went on to work for the State of New Mexico. Once she became a mother, she began her career with the Española Public Schools working as a teacher’s aide, allowing her time with her children. When Read More

HOWARD LEON STACY March 12, 1948 – Feb. 20, 2022

Howard Leon Stacy, 73, died peacefully on February 20, 2022, surrounded by his wife, brother, children, and grandchildren. Howard was born in Princeton, MO., on March 12, 1948, to Howard and Dixie Boggs. He was later adopted by Willis Stacy and Dixie Stacy.

Howard is preceded in death by his parents.

Howard graduated from Gresham Union High School in 1966 and joined the Marine Corps and served from 1967 until 1971 and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. After his time in the service, he attended Mount Hood Community College in Portland, OR., where he earned Read More

Kenneth Vernon Bostick October 2, 1942 – May 28, 2022

On May 28, 2022, Kenneth Vernon Bostick, loving husband, father, and grandfather peacefully passed away at home after battling cancer.

Ken’s cremains will be interred at the Fort Bayard National Cemetery on July 29, 2022 at 11:00 am. After the memorial service there will be a reception at his brother, Darwin’s home in Mimbres, NM.

Kenneth was born on October 2, 1942 in Albuquerque, NM to Maurine Elizabeth Judd Bostick and Vernon Brower Bostick. Kenneth attended college at New Mexico State University and The College of Santa Fe.

He served in Read More

ISABEL (LUCERO) CUMMINGS June 19, 1935 – June 4, 2022

Isabel (Lucero) Cummings, 86, a loving and dedicated mother.

Born in La Joya, NM. She grew up in Santa Fe, NM. Resided in Los Alamos for over 60 years.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Karen Young and her children’s father Charles Cummings, Her parents Procopio and Eusebia Lucero, her brother Luis Lucero, and her niece Angela Lucero.

She is survived by her sister Felonis Cortez, also her son Chuck and his wife Chelsea Nicola Cummings, son-in law Dan Young. She is also survived by many grandchildren Charlie and Matthew Young, also Aashkii, Read More

FRANK ALLAN WILLIAMS Dec. 26, 1936 – June 6, 2022

Frank Allan “Red” Williams December 25, 1936 – June 6, 2022, Frank was born near Honey Grove, TX to Phillip Bogan Williams and Holly Josephine “Jo” Bell Williams. He was the youngest of five children.

Frank’s mother passed away in 1942 when he was 6 years old. His father went to work as a carpenter at the Manhattan project (later to become Los Alamos). He lived with his Uncle Frank Williams and Aunt Lula Scroggins – brother and sister of his father’s in Selfs, TX.

At the age of 10, in 1946, he moved to Los Alamos, NM with his brother Ray and they Read More

MARY V. (Ginger) WELCH April 22, 1934 – May 27, 2022

Mary V. (Ginger) Welch, 88, of Sun City West, AZ and Los Alamos, NM, passed away May 27, 2022.

She was preceded in death by her husband Frank P. Welch, infant son Mark Stephen Welch, her infant great grandson Maddox Melton, parents Cornelius and Jean Milliken, brothers Cornelius and William, sisters Kathleen, Helene, and Jean, and her sweet dog Sydney.

Ginger was born in Elmira, New York, April 22, 1934 and was one of 14 children. She graduated from Elmira Catholic High School in 1952, entered school at St. Josephs and spent an initial year in the convent. Read More

AMY OSVATH SWENNES Jan. 19, 2022

A Los Alamos native, Amy (Osvath) Swennes, 68, of Albuquerque, went home to be with her Lord January 19, 2022 after a brief illness.

Amy was predeceased by her parents Frank and Florence Osvath of White Rock. She is survived by her husband David and her younger sisters Ginger, Lisa and Mary. 

She was a shy and beautiful 1971 graduate of Los Alamos High School. She later earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of New Mexico and was fond of dancing and dressing up in costumes of the medieval, renaissance, Jane Austen, Victorian and  civil war eras. She also loved steampunk, Read More

GERVAISE REJANE PROVENCGER GUERETTE May 10, 1934 – May 19, 2022

Gervaise “Geri” Guerette, 88, a resident of Winthrop, Maine, and formerly of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on May 19, 2022.

Geri was born on May 10, 1934 in Lambton, Canada, a small rural town in Quebec. She was the eighth child of Wilfred and Rose-Anna Theberge. Shortly after Geri’s birth, Rose-Anna died. Knowing that Geri needed a full-time mother, Wilfred made the difficult decision to give Geri up for adoption to distant relatives, Lena and Willie Provencher of Lewiston, Maine.

Every Sunday Read More

ROBERT HENRY NEWELL Jan. 14, 1927 – May 13, 2022

Robert Henry Newell was born in Gardner, MA, Jan. 14, 1927, to Grace and William Newell.

He grew up in Athol, MA, and worked odd jobs as a kid and at Union Twist Drill after school. He was a known member of the Silver Lake Street Gang and was not part of any shenanigans in town. 

Robert (Bob) joined the Navy in April 1944 during World War II and became an aircraft electrician stationed at Alameda Naval Air Station in California.

After the war, Bob went back and forth between California and Massachusetts working different jobs. His passion was working on airplanes, Read More

ALICE JEAN (SNYDER) CARTER Oct. 5, 1931 – May 15, 2022 

Alice Jean (Snyder) Carter was born on Monday, October 5, 1931, to Ralph and Lillian Snyder, a Methodist minister and his wife, who were serving a small church in Newcastle, Wyoming. Alice was the youngest of three children, and she spent most of her childhood in small towns in Wyoming where she was involved in church activities, piano lessons, and Girl Scouts. She loved the outdoors, camping, bird watching, and crafts; loves that stayed with her for the rest of her life. 

After graduating from High School, she began her college career at the Colorado Read More

JOHN E. ‘JACK’ KILLEEN May 27, 2022

John E. ‘Jack’ Killeen, age 79, son of John J. & Frances (Germon) Killeen passed away peacefully among loving family members on Friday, May 27, 2022 at the U. of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.

Born in Atlantic City, NJ and raised in West Cape May, Jack became a “Man of All Seasons”, hunting, fishing, trapping, laboring on the docks, working at both the Taylor Farm & Rae’s Farm and working for Steger’s Beach Service run by Coach Steve Steger of Cape May.

He attended the original West Cape May Elementary School, and the original Cape May High School Read More

ELIZABETH BLAIR MACMILLAN April 26, 1960 – May 26, 2022

Elizabeth Blair MacMillan of Los Alamos, NM, passed away on May 26, 2022.

Liz was born April 26, 1960 in Los Alamos to Martha C. MacMillan and Donald P. MacMillan.

She was preceded in death by her parents (Martha, 2013, and Donald, 2012) and her brother, Alan (2001).

She is survived by her brother Daniel MacMillan (Juleann Fallgatter) of Washington, DC and her nephew, Kyle MacMillan of Chicago, IL.

Liz attended Los Alamos schools. She was born with Down’s Syndrome. Along with other mothers of similarly disabled children, her parents started Read More