Obituaries

PEGGY ANN SANTISTEVAN Oct. 21, 2023

Peggy Ann Santistevan passed away peacefully at the age of 76 on Saturday, October 21, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

Peggy, affectionately known as Ammi by her grandchildren, is survived by her daughter, Lena (Miles), sons Rey (Dee) and Ernesto (Carolee), her four grandchildren, Abigail, Madeline, Miles Scott and Isabella. Her siblings, Diana Santistevan and Michael Santistevan as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Peggy retired to Phoenix, Arizona, where she enjoyed watching her 3 oldest grandchildren grow up. Peggy loved sewing, knitting, Read More

MARGARET MAXWELL BRADDOCK BOWMAN Nov. 22, 1933 – July 31, 2023

Margaret Maxwell Braddock Bowman passed away peacefully July 31 in Tucson, Arizona. 

She was born Nov. 22, 1933 in New York, NY to Guilbert Campbell Braddock & Estelle Maxwell Braddock.

Growing up, both of Margaret’s parents were deaf, so she was well versed in sign language. Her love of languages didn’t stop there as she also learned Dutch and Spanish.  

Margaret attended the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA where she met Allen Lee Bowman.  They were both active in the drama. Margaret was waiting for Al to put props Read More

HAROLD MORGAN JR. June 12, 1946 – Oct. 20, 2023

Harold Morgan, Jr., died Oct. 20 in Albuquerque. He was 77. 

Harold was born in Oklahoma City on June 12, 1946, to Iverna and Harold M. Morgan. The family moved to Albuquerque in the late 1950s for his father’s job involving early uranium mining in the Grants area. 

Harold attended Jefferson Middle School and Highland High School. He was in the first class of St. John’s College, Santa Fe campus. He earned a BA at the University of New Mexico, did graduate studies at the University of Oklahoma, and received his MBA from the UNM Anderson School of Management. Read More

THOMAS ‘TOMMY’ A. LAWRENCE March 30, 1934 – Nov. 3, 2023

Thomas “Tommy” A. Lawrence, 89, after an illness passed away Nov. 3, 2023. He was born March 30, 1934, in Alton, IL, to the late Allen and Irene Lawrence. Tommy is survived by his loving children, Christopher Lawrence (Staci) and Cathy Lawrence (Richard Splawn), as well as his brother Gary Lawrence (Agnes) as well as his 5 grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nephews, neices and cousins.

Tommy served in the US Army from 1956 to 1958.

After his military service, Tommy embarked on a successful career. He initially worked at Olin in East Read More

ALAN R. BERRY July 24, 1940 – October 2023  

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Alan R. Berry (known as “Al” to most) a long term resident of White Rock, NM.

Alan was born on July 24, 1940 to parents Elmer and Alice in NE Wisconsin. He graduated from Shawano Senior High School and did his undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He completed his Masters and PHD studies in metallurgical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He worked a few years at 3M Central Research in St. Paul. His next 15 years were spent at Rocky Flats Arsenal, Colorado, Read More

WILLIAM G. HUDGINS Sept. 18, 1924 – Sept. 18, 2023

William “Bill” Gordon Hudgins passed away peacefully on his 99th birthday, Sept. 18, 2023, while surrounded by family.

Bill was born in 1924 Carlsbad, NM to Essie Jones and William N. Hudgins, and spent most of his youth in Santa Fe.

Bill left the University of New Mexico after enrolling in the U.S. Navy V-12 Program in 1942 and arrived in Los Alamos in 1943 as the first SED-Special Engineering Detachment performing radiochemistry and metallurgy. He enlisted in the Army Engineers and continued supporting the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos until Read More

JONELLE ROSE SULLIVAN Jan. 8, 1941 – Oct. 24, 2023

Jonelle Rose Sullivan danced her way into heaven Oct. 24, 2023. Jonelle came into this world Jan. 8, 1941, in Houston Texas, to Joe and Nelda (nee Pruess) Wallace. She was their only child, and though she was part of a large extended family, she always wanted a large family of her own.

She was raised primarily by her mother. The strong love between them as well as the love of God, carried them through many hard times.

From an early age, Jonelle had a strong love and talent for worship, with the ability to usher in the very presence of the Holy Spirit with her Read More

JEAN VISSCHER March 1929 – Nov. 5, 2023

Jean Visscher was born March 1929 in Elmira, NY, and died Nov. 5, 2023 in Colorado Springs, CO.

She was the daughter of Robert and Elsie (Woodford) Dininny and grew up in Susquehanna, PA. After high school and secretarial school, she worked at Hartwick College, Cornell University and the University of Maryland. She met her future husband Bill Visscher at Cornell where he was a physics graduate student.

Jean and Bill married in 1951 and they were together over 69 years. They moved to Los Alamos, NM in 1956 where Jean worked at the County of Los Alamos in various Read More

SALLY FOOTE WILKINS Sept. 20, 1942 – Nov. 4, 2023

Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 Sally Foote Wilkins died peacefully at her home in Los Alamos, NM, where loved ones had gathered to see her off. She was 81 years old.  

Sally was born Sept. 20, 1942 in Leadville, Colorado to Max and Eugenia Foote, and grew up in Paola, Kansas with her younger brother Max Foote and her longtime best friend Ota Roadhouse. She had a childhood that was full of fun and mischief – getting into trouble for taking her mother’s car out for a spin when she was just twelve years old (and teaching herself to drive a stick shift on the fly), sneaking Read More

DONALD HENRY MCLAUGHLIN May 27, 1934 – Sept. 16, 2023

Donald Henry McLaughlin, 89, of Los Alamos, NM, passed away Saturday, September 16, 2023.

Donald was born May 27,1934; the second of seven children. He would proudly add he was so impatient to get started on his story that he was his mom’s only home birth.

Donald was born and grew up in Lafayette, Indiana. He was welcomed by his father, William Raymond McLaughlin, and Mother, Frances Rovine (Jenkins) McLaughlin.

Spending time with Donald would give you a glimpse of a time when gentlemen wore ties, hats and always had a clean hankie in their pocket. Read More

DR. JERE LANE GREEN Aug. 19, 1935 – Nov. 1, 2023

Dr. Jere Lane Green passed away on November 1, 2023, at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, surrounded by his loving family. Jere was born on August 19, 1935, in Clovis, NM, to Lowell Clarence Green and O’leta Fern (Lane) Green. He and his sister, Judith Green, lived with their parents in Clovis until 1945 when they moved to Santa Fe, where Lowell was Clerk of Court for the Supreme Court of New Mexico for many years.

Jere graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1953 and then attended the University of New Mexico where he earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. He Read More

MARCO FRANCIS ASHCROFT July 21, 1973 – Nov. 1, 2023

Marco Francis Ashcroft, 50, died unexpectedly on November 1, 2023, at his home in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Marco was born July 21, 1973, in Encino, California, son of the late Lina and Frank Ashcroft of Albuquerque New Mexico, and brother to the late Maysa Peterson of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was the youngest of five siblings.

Marco was a happy child; intelligent, athletic, kind and thoughtful, and full of silliness and energy. But life quickly became difficult, eventually complicated by mental illness and addiction. He struggled all his Read More

AUSTIN RYAN GARDNER – Nov. 10, 1993 – Oct. 30, 2023

Born in Albuquerque, NM on a “Black Sabbath kind of day,” raised mainly in Los Alamos, Austin’s most loved place was Vail, CO, where he worked hard, and played harder.

His love for a full send down the mountain and the same energy with every type of music will live forever within us all and reminds us to go for it even when we are scared. We all hear him in the simplest songs, and the passion he had for music and the beauty of this world is within us all. His music was infectious and brought so many of us together even through the hardest of times. He will now forever Read More

JJ PAUL MAIER Oct. 13, 2023

JJ Maier (Jeffie Joy Paul Maier) of Los Alamos died at home October 13, 2023, after a long and difficult journey following a vehicular accident in 2005. JJ was born to parents Betty Joy Sharp Paul and Elza Paul in Albuquerque, NM in 1946. She would have been 77 this month.

JJ graduated from Los Alamos High School and attended UNM prior to moving to Las Cruces with her family. She worked with Jim Patton and Design Interiors of Las Cruces and in Northern NM on projects including the Taos Courthouse and the Downs Racetrack.  She lived and worked briefly in Salt Lake City, Utah Read More

DUANE FLAMIG April 16, 1951 – Oct. 29, 2023

Duane Flamig born April 16, 1951 in Oshkosh, Nebraska, passed away Oct. 29, 2023 in Peoria, Az.

Born in rural Nebraska, and the oldest son in a family of 8 children, Duane had a natural curiosity about everything. In his youth he memorized the encyclopedia and bet his siblings a shiny penny they couldn’t ask him a question from the pages that he wouldn’t be able to answer. His learning culminated in a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Nebraska. He spent the first half of his career working on techniques for MR imaging that could be used to improve Read More

SHIRLEENE ANN WESTERHOLD Oct. 22, 2023

Shirleene Ann Westerhold, age 88, of Rio Rancho, passed away peacefully at her home Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Charles Eugene “Gene” Westerhold, parents James and Ella Scullawl, in-laws Charley and Bertha Westerhold, granddaughter Wenona Westerhold, and son-in-law Bill Cushing.

After high school, Shirleene married her sweetheart, Gene, in May of 1954, which they were married for 55 amazing years. Shirleene drove a school bus for Los Alamos Public Schools for 13 years. Shirleene then worked for Los Alamos Read More

STEVEN ALLEN COCKING May 26, 1948–Oct 3, 2023

We are saddened to announce the passing of Steve Cocking. Steven Allen Cocking was born May 26, 1948 in Glendale, Arizona to Henry Cocking and Lois Tibbet. Steve was a devoted son, husband, father, uncle, coach, Papa and friend. He passed away Oct. 3, 2023 in Sun City, AZ at the age of 75.

Steve moved around frequently during his childhood years, but he found a home his sophomore year of high school in Artesia, NM. As a proud Artesia Bulldog, he discovered his deep love for the game of football, which would later develop into his passion for coaching and his Read More

MARIE (SCHOPPY) SCHELBERG

Marie (Schoppy) Schelberg, long time resident of Los Alamos, died October 20, 2023. She was born on March 25, 1925, in Locust Gap, Pennsylvania.

Marie worked in the Locust Gap Post Office starting in 1947 and became Postmaster in 1962. She retired in 1985. Marie then moved to Los Alamos to help care for her sister. In 1989 she married Arthur Schelberg. They spent their remaining years in Los Alamos.

Marie enjoyed knitting and was a member of the Prayer Shawl Group at IHM. She delighted in watching the birds and wildlife that visited her deck.

There will be a viewing at the Read More

Obituary: DIANNE HORN Nov. 23, 1942 – Oct. 22, 2023

Dianne M Horn, 80, of Rutheron, N.M., passed away peacefully on October 22, 2023, with family by her side.

She was born November 23, 1942, in West Bend, Wisconsin—the daughter of the late Hilary and Marie (Engelhardt) Hoepner.

Dianne attended Marion College and graduated from Fond du Lac Vocational School as a licensed Practical Nurse in 1962.

On April 4, 1964, she married William (Bill) Horn at the Catholic Church in Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Dianne was a nurse at St. Joseph Hospital and West Bend Medical Center.

Dianne, her husband, and their children Read More

Obituary: Shirley René April 26, 1961 – May 18, 2023

It is with great sadness and fond memories that we announce the passing of our dear friend and colleague Shirley René Holaday on May 18, 2023. She led a full and interesting life, and touched the life of everyone she met.

René was born on April 26, 1961, in Tarrant County, Texas, the youngest of three siblings. She attended college at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she majored in Physics (BS, 1990) and met her future husband, Jim Cooke. Her extracurricular activities included leadership roles in Sigma Pi Sigma and marching band. During Read More

WILLIAM SCOTT PHILLIPS June 14, 1956 – Oct. 3, 2023

Loving husband of his MIT sweetheart, Melinda Darby Dyar of Freeport, ME. Proud Dad to Middy Davis of Eugene, OR; Chloe Jachim (Teddy Jachim) of Seattle, WA and William Geoffrey Phillips (Michelle Parent) of Portland, OR. Beloved and devoted Grandfather to Lou Davis. Much-loved Stepfather to Duncan and Lindy Crowley.

Born in Oakland, CA and raised in the San Diego area, he was the oldest son of the late William and Ellen Phillips. Scott began his education with undergraduate work at UC Berkeley in Geophysics, studied abroad at the University Read More

KATHERINE CHIYOKO FRAME Sept. 20, 1966 – Aug. 28, 2023

It is our sad task to announce the passing of our petite, plucky, purple-mohawked, punk-rocker PhD particle physicist Katherine (Kate) Frame. After her four-year battle with pancreatic cancer, she is missed dearly and deeply.

Kate curated a veritable cornucopia of friends, no two alike, each feeling uniquely cherished. Many of her friends were also coworkers at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where Kate performed leading roles in an impressive diversity of important projects supporting international nuclear safeguards, arms control Read More

ELAINE M. JOSEPH Oct. 29, 1946 – Aug. 20, 2023

HARRIS LOUIS MAYER Feb. 15, 1921 – Sept. 17, 2023

On Sunday, September 17, 2023 Harris Louis Mayer, loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 102.

Harris was born on February 15, 1921 in New York to Abraham and Sadie (Reinschreiber) Mayer. He received his BS degree at NYU, MS degree from Columbia, and his PhD in physics from University of Chicago.

Harris was involved in the Manhattan project first in New York, then in Chicago, before moving to Los Alamos in 1947. 

On October 20, 1946 Harris married Rosalie Ann Holtsberg. Together they raised their three children, David, Joel, and Margo until Read More

GAIL JOAN MCFARLANE Aug. 23, 1949 – Sept. 21, 2023

Gail Joan McFarlane passed away peacefully in her sleep Sept. 21, 2023. She lived her life to the fullest with her many friends and large family by her side.

Listening to the Rolling Stones and the Beatles was one of her favorite pastimes, and she went to many rock concerts in her day. In her downtime, Gail enjoyed listening to the sound of running water and playing cribbage. Anyone who knew Gail, knew she was obsessed with the Green Bay Packers. She was a stockholder and traveled far and wide to go to games including the one and only Lambeau Field.

Gail Read More

SCOTT ALLEN SANDRY BOLIVAR July 21, 1969 – May 26, 2023

Scott Allen Sandry Bolivar passed away on May 26, 2023, at the age of 53 from a stroke.

Scott was born in Albuquerque, NM on July 21, 1969, at 12:05 PM, the night that astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon.

He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1987 and attended New Mexico State University. Scott was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He spent most of his adult life in the Pacific Northwest where he enjoyed the outdoors, clam digging and salmon fishing.

Scott was preceded in death by his father Michael Sandry. He is Read More

MARY JANE CUNNINGHAM (MCCULLOUGH) 1933 – Sept. 24, 2023

Mary Jane Cunningham (McCullough) of Los Alamos, NM passed peacefully at home in the arms of her husband, sons and caregivers Sept. 24, 2023, at the age of 89.

Mary was born in 1933, at home in Proctor, Vermont to Homer and Ruth (Landon) McCullough. She grew up in Proctor, Vermont where she worked at the family bakery stand during the Vermont State Fair, played basketball and softball at Proctor High School. After graduation, she attended business college and began her banking career as a teller at the Proctor Bank. Mary moved to San Diego, Read More

ROBERT (BOB) ISIDORE FERRAN Nov. 15, 1935 – Sept. 16, 2023

Robert (Bob) Isidore Ferran left this earth Sept. 16, 2023 at the age of 87 years. He was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico Nov. 15, 1935 to Marianita Flossie (Cortez) and Isidore Hipolito Ferran of Santa Fe and Gallina, New Mexico. He was the youngest of six children.

Bob attended school in Santa Fe and spent summers and weekends working on his family’s ranch near Gallina and Coyote, NM. He graduated from Santa Fe High School and went on to play baseball for New Mexico State University while earning an engineering degree. At one point he was being Read More

Joanne Malicky Miller Roman Aug. 15, 2023

Joanne C. Malicky Miller Roman, 89, of Salem, Oregon, and longtime resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico passed away on August 15, 2023 after her long fight with Parkinson’s Disease and dementia.

Joanne was born in 1933, to Georgia and Charles Malicky in Marysville, KS. Joanne graduated from Barneston, NE as Valedictorian of her class and received the Regent’s Scholarship to complete a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from the University of Nebraska and a Master of Science from Kansas State College. 

Joanne was the editor of her high school yearbook Read More

ERNEST (TITO) ULIBARRI JR. Sept. 18, 2023

Ernest (Tito) Ulibarri Jr., age 91, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, carpenter, superintendent and mentor residing in White Rock, New Mexico, passed away of natural causes. He died peacefully in his home surrounded by family on September 18, 2023.

He was born in Park View, New Mexico, in 1931, to Ernesto and Maria Ana Ulibarri. Ernest attended school in Tierra Amarilla until an injury sustained by his father required that Ernest leave school to help support the family.

Later he went to work in the construction industry, Read More

WENONA KAY WESTERHOLD Aug. 24, 1974 – Sept. 16, 2023

Wenona passed away with her loving family close by her side. Family was very important to her. She lived a life centered around her daughter Elyssa, her grandchildren Jada and Cameron, and her many friends. She loved being a Nana. Whether it was cooking with Jada or watching National Geographic specials with Cameron, she was always available. She got great joy from everyday things like grocery shopping with Elyssa or watching football with family and friends. You could always count on Wenona to show up with her huge smile and contagious laugh. Read More

ERICA DIANE MERTZ March 31, 1990 – Sept. 15, 2023

Erica Diane Mertz passed away Sept. 15, 2023, in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the age of 33.

Erica was born March 31, 1990 in Augusta, Georgia. She later moved with her family to New Mexico where she attended Los Alamos High School.

For the past two years Erica shared a group home in Belen. Erica had an infectious smile and laugh that she reserved for only the most special moments. Her happy place was in the water, where she felt a sense of freedom from her disability. Erica often expressed herself through movement, from swimming, to bopping to her favorite Read More

GARY ALAN FILLMORE Sept. 1, 1938 – Sept. 9, 2023

In the early afternoon of Saturday, September 9, 2023, Gary Alan Fillmore departed on his final trip to the West, chasing the sunset and leaving behind an adoring family and many, many friends grateful for a lifetime of laughter and shared adventures. Gary had recently celebrated his 85th birthday doing what he loved most, spending a warm San Diego afternoon surrounded by his family and friends.

Gary was a native of San Diego, California growing up in the neighborhood of Bay Park and forging life-long friendships there. The cars, music, and lifestyle Read More

RAYMOND C. MJOLSNESS April 22, 1933 – Sept. 13, 2023

We are deeply saddened to have lost Raymond C. Mjolsness on September 13, 2023. He was a fine theoretical physicist and applied mathematician, a patient mentor and insightful collaborator to colleagues, a longtime member of the Theoretical Division of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, and an excellent trombone player.

Raymond Mjolsness was born in Chicago on April 22, 1933. He grew up in several places including St. Louis, Missouri and Helena, Montana. He was an American original, a son of a school teacher who went on to excel in science and Read More

AMY DAREAN JARAMILLO MARTINEZ March 14, 1961 – Aug. 30, 2023

Amy Darean Jaramillo Martinez, 62, of Rio Chama, NM, went to be with the Lord Aug. 30, 2023.

Amy was a loving wife, mother, daughter and sister whose love for the Lord was first in her life. She shared this love with all who knew her. Amy will be remembered for her friendship, kindness, and willingness to help others.

Amy is survived by her husband Manuel, her sons Joshua and David; her mother Irene Jaramillo, Brothers Lorenzo and Diego (Darlene); In-Laws Joe and Florence Martinez, Brothers in-law Joe and Chris (Susan); numerous nieces, Read More