Susana Martinez
Died on November 10, 2007
Susana M. Martinez, 89, of Taos passed away November 10, 2007. She is preceded in death by her son, Ernesto Martinez, husband, Luise E. Martinez, her parents, Luciano and Floriada Martinez, brother, Luciano Martinez Jr. and sister, Juanita Vargas. She is survived by her daughter, Carmen Oakeley (Ernest) of Taos, son, David Martinez (Janie) of Taos, grandchildren, Susan Vigil (Henry), Brian Oakeley (Bianca), Darin Oakeley, Janelle Czeczely, Devina Velez (Fito), Derrick Archuleta, brother, Mike Martinez of Albuquerque, sister, Fabiola Vigil of Taos, 11 great-grandchildren, godchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Rosary was held on November 12, 2007 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Taos. Funeral mass was held on November 13, 2007 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic with interment followed at the Las Cruces cemetery.
Francella McGinnis
Died on November 7, 2007
Francella McGinnis, 74 of Taos passed away on November 07, 2007. She is preceded in death by her parents, Selso & Cordelia Martinez, sister, Isabel McGuire, brothers, Alex, Selso and Eloy Martinez. She is survived by her sisters and brothers, Amalia Valerio, Eloy Martinez (Rose) all of Ranchos de Taos, Connie Anaya of Taos, Frances "Pancha" Reynolds (Leonard) of Richfield, Utah, Dolly Peralta (Fred) of Taos, Gloria Martinez (Ted) of Taos, Jonny Martinez (Juanita) of Ranchos de Taos, many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral mass will be held on Friday, November 09, 2007 at 10 AM at San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church with interment to follow at Hartt cemetery.
Beatrice Mondragon
Died on November 20, 2007
Beatrice Mondragon, 85, of Llano Quemado passed away on November 20, 2007. She is preceded in death by her husband Max Mondragon, son, Elmer Mondragon, brother, Rosendo Gonzales, sisters, Sarita Trujillo, Damiana Maestas and Manuelita Torres. She is survived by her grandchildren, Dawn, Amy and Antonio Mondragon and sister, Adelina Trujillo of Phoenix, AZ. She is also survived by goddaughter, Leilani Torres and many nieces and nephews.
Rosary will be recited on Sunday, December 02, 2007 at 5 PM at San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church. Funeral mass will be held on Monday, December 03, 2007 at 10 AM at San Francisco de Asis Church with interment to follow at the old Llano Quemado cemetery.
Felicita Rael
Died on November 5, 2007
Felicita Ernestina Rael, 87, of Taos passed away on November 5,2007. She preceded in death by her husband Silviano Rael who passed away January 1957, brother, David Martinez and sister, Patrocinia Cordova. She is survived by her children: Silviano "Silver" Rael (Loyola) of Arroyo Seco, Felix Rael of Santa Monica, CA., Andy Rael (Sinfer) of Arroyo Hondo, Drucilla Orona (Tom) of Placitas, NM., grandchildren, Francine Rael, Suzanne Martinez, Anjanette Richardson, Krista Rael, Roxanne Summers, Jeanette Valdez, Sofia Valdez, Xochitl Foldenauer, Isaac Orona and Derrick Archuleta.
Memorial mass was held on Wednesday, November 07, 2007 at 10 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with interment at Arroyo Hondo Community cemetery.
Eleanor Alaniz
December 21, 2007
Eleanor V. Alaniz, 62, of El Prado, passed away after a lengthy illness on December 21, 2007. She is preceded in death by her parents, Eduardo and Rafelita, Visarriagas. She is survived by her daughters, Diana (Victor) Martinez of El Prado, Donna LaCombe of El Prado, Denna Concha of El Prado, Diohn Mascarenas (Leo) of El Prado, Elisama Carey (Zack) of El Prado, brother Eddie Visarriagas (Martha) of Rio Rancho, sister Linda Medina (Uvaldo) of Albuquerque., grandchildren, Rafelita (Ismael) Trujillo, Lawrence Martinez, Christina Barela, Kyle Concha, Leo Mascarenas Jr, a great-grandson that is expected soon and numerous nieces, nephews and beloved cousins.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Stray Hearts Animal Shelter.
Funeral mass will be held on Thursday, December 27, 2007 at 10AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
John Brenner
December 20, 2007
John M. Brenner, 82, born December 18, 1925 in Olympia, WA, passed away December 20, 2007 at St. Vincent's Hospital in Santa Fe. He is preceded in death by his parents Earl G. Brenner and Hazel Maahs Brenner of Olympia, WA, and his brother Earl R. Brenner.
John attended school in Olympia, WA and joined the U.S. Navy in 1944, where he served in the South Pacific on the Destroyer USS Shields. Upon his return he attended Menlo College in Palo Alto, CA and the University of Washington. He became active in the family business, The J.J. Brenner Oyster Company, and then moved to Taos in 1960 to join the First State Bank of Taos. He was promoted to President in 1970 and served until 1977 when he became Vice Chairman of the Board. He retired from the bank in 1980. During his time at the bank, the building on the Plaza was built, as well as the Southside Branch, and the Red River and Questa branches. He especially enjoyed overseeing the construction of these buildings, and was often seen plowing the snow from the parking lots.
His civic involvements included serving as President of the Taos County Chamber of Commerce, president and treasurer of the Lions Club, a number of years with the Taos Volunteer Fire Department, and a supervisor of the Taos County Soil and Water Conservation District. He and his family enjoyed camping, fishing and traveling in their motor home.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Barbara Brandenburg Brenner, his daughters, Marcia Brenner Winter (Fred Winter) and Anne Brenner (Cortney E. Stewart) of Taos. He also leaves grandsons Wyatt B. Winter of Orlando, FL and Peter B. Winter of Taos. Also surviving him are nephews Byron L. Brenner (Renee) and Bruce H. Brenner (Valerie) of Olympia, WA
A private burial service has been held. Arrangements were handled by Rivera Family Mortuaries and Crematory
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4pm to 6pm on Friday, December 28 at the home of Marcia and Fred Winter. If desired, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Taos Community Foundation, PO Box 1925, Taos, NM, 87571.
Thomas Ritchie Brownell
December 9, 2007
Thomas Ritchie Brownell, age 81, passed away Saturday, December 8, at his home in Taos. He was with his wife Elisabeth and son Christof when he died.
He was born, April 3, 1926, in Evanston, Illinois. His parents were Ruth Ritchie and Herbert S. Brownell. Tom entered the Navy V-12 program at the University of Notre Dame in 1943. He completed his B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering , and in 1948 completed a Master of Business Administration program at Northwestern University. In 1952 Tom was recalled to the Navy and served on Guam during the Korean War.
At the end of his military service, Tom joined a management consulting firm until 1957 when he started his own firm in Chicago Marketing Management, Inc. He specialized in sales and marketing manpower development. His clients included Lever Brothers, R.J. Reynolds, PepsiCo, Lipton Tea, and Zenith, among others. Tom belonged to the honorary engineering fraternity, Tau Beta Pi, and the National Society of Art Directors. He taught administrative management at the University of Chicago Extension and has served on several corporate boards. He founded the Taos Valley Reservation Association and has been an active consultant in promoting Taos Ski Valley.
In 1961 he went on a ski vacation in Taos Ski Valley where he met Elisabeth Schlegl. They married
in 1966. They have two sons: Christof, born in 1968 and Marcus, born in 1971.
During the late sixties, Tom and Elisabeth bought the Thunderbird Lodge. They managed the lodge together for over thirty years until they sold it in 2005. Tom is credited with starting the Jazz Legends Festival at the Thunderbird Lodge in 1984. Over thirteen years, he brought such jazz greats as Ralph Sutton, Milt Hinton, Kenny Davern, Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, and many other renowned jazz musicians to the Thunderbird Lodge. Tom was an accomplished jazz pianist himself, and his passion for jazz inspired many local musicians.
Tom is remembered by many in the community for his generosity, sense of humor, and his active involvement in Taos Ski Valley over the last 40 years. He is survived by his wife, Elisabeth Brownell, of Taos Ski Valley; two sons: Christof Brownell of Taos and Marcus Brownell and his wife Amanda, of Munich, Germany; two grandchildren, Phoebe and August Brownell; and his niece and nephew, Wendy Williams and Bob Williams.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, memorial contributions in Thomas name can be made to Mountain Home Health Care Hospice, PO Box 2566, Taos, New Mexico 87571 and to Taos Community Foundation(music for children) PO Box 1925, Taos New Mexico, 87571
Jose G. Cordova
Died on December 11, 2007
Jose G. Cordova "Grandpa Joe", 90, of San Cristobal passed away on December 11, 2007. He is preceded in death by his wife, Maria Candida Cordova, "Grandma Candy", parents, Felipe Nerio and Leonides Vigil Cordova, brothers, Pablo, Ezequiel, Zacharias, Benjamin, Fabian, Hipolito, Aniseto, Rafael, Flory, sister, Isabel Arellano. He is survived by his son, Joe Nerio Cordova (Margie), grandchildren, Darrel Cordova (Cindy), Darren Cordova (Brenda),,Darla Garcia (Richard) and Daniel Cordova (Sheila), grandchildren, Andrew, Audrey, Adrianna, Darren Lee, Dynette, Evan, Ryan, Devan, Damian, Daniel, Deanna, Tracey, Christopher, great granddaughter, Mariah Cordova, special niece and nephew, Casilda (Allen Trujillo) and Romolo Arellano and many other relatives.
Rosary was recited on Thursday, December 13, at Rivera Chapel. Funeral mass was held December 14, 2007 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Arroyo Hondo. Interment followed at San Cristobal cemetery.
Elizaida Martinez
December 6, 2007
Elizaida Martinez, 85, of Des Montes passed away on December 06, 2007. She is preceded in death by her husband, Margarito Martinez, parents, Trinidad and Pedro Martinez, children, Lidio Martinez, Elmer J. Martinez, Elva Montano, Dora Suazo and sister Anita Martinez. She is survived by her children, Dulcinea Suazo (Frank), George Martinez (Janet), Eloy Martinez, Lucy Cortez (Joseph), Debbie Herrera (Tony), brothers Elias Martinez (Katie)of Denver, CO., Juan Chavez of Des Montes, NM, sisters, Leocadia Trujillo of Taos, NM, Elena Salazar of Valdez, NM, son-in-law, Joe Montano (Melene), special granddaughter, Miranda Martinez, special niece, JoAnn Trujillo, 20 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, many others she considered her grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Rosaries were recited on Saturday, December 08, 2007 and on Sunday, December 09, 2007 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Arroyo Seco. Funeral mass was held December 10, 2007 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church,nterment followed at Valdez cemetery. Arrangements by Rivera Family Mortuaries.
Rose Albina Martinez
Died on December 17, 2007
Rose Albina Martinez, 79, of Tres Piedres passed away on December 17, 2007. She owned and operated the L&R Café and Gas Station in Tres Piedras. She is preceded in death by her parents, Estevan and Manuelita Gurule, brother, Gilbert Gurule and sister, Carmen Martinez. She is survived by her husband, Lucas B. Martinez, daughter, Lynda J. Martinez of Rio Rancho, son, Ross Martinez (Dolores) of Taos, daughter, Lucay Torres (Richard) of Ranchos de Taos, son Dezy George Martinez of Tres Piedras, brothers and sisters, Priscilla Lucero, Steve Gurule (Teresa), Pearl Garcia (Eddie), Mildred Ayotte (Albert), Orlando Gurule (Patricia), Benjie Gurule (Emma), sister-in-law, Ina Gurule, brother-in-law, Charles Martinez, five grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Funeral was held on Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 10:30 AM at the Tres Piedras Seventh Day Adventist Church. Interment followed at the Gurule Family cemetery in Tres Piedras.
Cleotilde Padilla
December 10, 2007
Cleotilde Ursulita Padilla, 93, of Questa passed away on December 10, 2007. She is preceded in death by her husband, Benigno
Padilla, daughters, Ayda and Frances, parents, Adelaida & Gavino Cisneros. She is survived by her children, Leroy Padilla (Doris), Marta Rael (Teodoro), Lorraine Gonzales (Raymond), Shirley and Ben Padilla, sister, Lucella Quintana and many other relatives.
Rosary was recited on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Questa. Funeral mass was held on December 13, 2007 at St. Anthony Catholic Church Interment followed at El Pueblito cemetery.
