NINA LAURITSEN LUJAN Sept. 11, 2015
Nina Lauritsen Lujan, 71, was welcomed into Heaven Sept. 11, 2015. She was the daughter of the late Mads and Kira Lauritsen.
Nina was an honor graduate of Bayport-Blue Point High School on Long Island (1961) and Wagner College (1965) where she received a degree in elementary education. During her college years she spent a semester in Bergenz, Austria. She graduated from the University of Hawaii (1968) with a master’s degree in special education.
Nina taught for 30 years mostly in Los Alamos, N.M. She was excellent teacher and was admired by coworkers, students and parents. It wasn’t unusual for her to meet ex-students or their parents and be told that they only did so well because of her patience, caring and teaching.
After her son went to college Nina rented the spare room to lab students. Many of them formed life long friendships with her. After retiring, Nina worked at Little Forest Play School for a year before moving to Santa Fe. She loved living there and became a very active volunteer at the Lensic, Greer Garson Theater and the Santa Fe animal shelter. She had a lifelong love of animals (especially dogs).
Nina loved to travel. Her trips included a dozen U.S. states, 10 European countries and Canada. She enjoyed quilting, needlepoint, reading hiking attending Alex’s sports games, spending time with family and with her dog of 18 years, Licorice.
Nina is survived by her only child, Alex Lujan, his wife Autumn, grandsons Aidan and Arik, her only sibling, Norma (Lauritsen-Morano) Oona and husband Hain (who she called “Bro”), brother-in-law Hank, niece Andrea (Morano) Becker her husband Trev and their children Tommy and Kira, cousins Ron Goulet and Michelle Johnson.
The unconditional love that Nina gave to us (everyone) is rare. We feel blessed to have been part of her life and will always carry her memory with us.
Nina was a member of United Church and also frequently attended Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
Nina and family request, in lieu of flowers, donations to Santa Fe Animal Shelter (100 Caja Del Rio, Santa Fe, NM 87507) or for Parkinson’s research (UCI Parkinson’s Research, Dr. N. Hermanowicz, Gottschalk Medical Plaza, 1 Medical Plaza Dr., Irvine, CA.
A Facebook page will be set up for comments and photos.
