MARJORIE J. MEEK, of Santa Fe, died Wednesday. She was born in Topeka, Kan., on Jan. 5, 1920. Prior to moving to Santa Fe in 1976, she was a longtime resident of Michigan. She enjoyed her community service, especially the many years she volunteered at the Palace of the Governors Museum Gift Shop.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred T. Meek; and her parents, Leroy and Edith Haggard.
She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Wood of Santa Fe; and her children, Susan Primm and husband Bill of Ocala, Fla., Tom Meek and wife Gloria of Troy, Mich., Peter Meek and wife Rita of Santa Fe; five grandchildren; and her niece Nancy Brinegar of Santa Fe.
The family will have a private service from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday followed by a reception at the Estancia Primera Club House.
McGee Memorial Chapel Mortuary.
Dated: September 5, 2003
JOSEPH JOHN PERILLO, 57, of Westlake Village, Calif., died August 28 after a brief illness. He was born Sept. 6, 1945, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was a resident of Westlake Village for 15 years. He was the executive vice president and owner of Century Electronics.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 14 years, Mary E. Vialpando-Perillo; mother, Carmela; sister, Janet (Joe) of New York; children, Joe Jr. (Jill), Jason, James Velarde, Brenda Velarde and Clint Wilder; and many other relatives and friends.
A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. today at St. Francis Cathedral. Burial will follow at Rosario Cemetery.
Berardinelli Family Funeral Service.
Dated: September 5, 2003
MARIA PILAR CORDOVA ESPINOZA, 104, of Chimayó died Sunday. She was born Oct. 12, 1899, in Cordova.
Her name, Pilar, truly exemplified her as a pillar of strength for her family and community.
She was among the last surviving widows of a World War I veteran in northern New Mexico. She married Jose Erinero Espinoza upon his return from France at Santa Cruz de la Cañada Church. They were master weavers and farmers who lived lives of simplicity and hard work. They had a strong and unwavering faith. She was a member of Holy Family Parish and she and her husband were among the first parishioners to volunteer their labor to construct the first building, the present parish hall.
She is preceded in death by an infant daughter, Josefita; husband, Jose, who participated in several major battles in World War I and whose unit marched into Paris with Gen. John "Black Jack" Pershing; a brother, Enrique; sisters, Rosenda and Francisquita Cordova and Senaida Montoya. She is survived by Jose E. Lujan and husband, Percy, 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; close friend and sister-in-law Magdalena Espinoza; and many other relatives and friends.
A childrens' rosary is 4 p.m. today at Block-Salazar Mortuary to commemorate her years teaching religious education in preparation for the Sacraments. A second rosary is 7:30 p.m.
Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Family Catholic Church, Chimayó, with interment at 11:0 a.m. with her husband at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
Block-Salazar Mortuary.
Dated: September 2, 2003
PORFIDIO "PANCHO" ORTEGA, 74, of Glorieta, died Tuesday following a lengthy illness at the Las Vegas Medical Center. He worked many years as an electrician for Montoya Electric. He also did farming in California and Colorado. He was preceded in death by one brother, Isidro; and one sister, Maria Rusler. He is survived by three sons, Roy Ortega of Santa Fe, Pete Ortega and wife Olivia of Tesuque, and Jake Ortega and his wife Diana of Santa Fe; one brother, Cipriano Ortega and his wife Maria of Glorieta; sisters, Marcy Gonzales and her husband Mike of Santa Fe, Loyola Gurule of Los Alamos, and Martha Gurule of Española; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many other relatives. A rosary will be recited at 7 tonight at McGee Memorial Chapel Mortuary. McGee Memorial Chapel Mortuary.
Dated: September 11, 2003
FRANCES MARIE RANDALL, 77, died Monday at home, due to illness. She was born July 14, 1926, to George and Thelma Elliot in Sherman, Texas. On Sept. 28, 1945, she married her high school sweetheart, Joe Vincent Randall. They lived in Española until his death in 1974. She then moved her family to Fort Worth to be near her sister. She worked in sales until the late 1980s, when she retired to devote time and energy to her grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Michael Joe Randall. She is survived by sons, John Randall and wife Donna, and Mark Randall and wife Stephanie; daughters, Cathy Murrell and husband Terry, Patti Keeton and husband Danny, and Molly Smith and husband Greg; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother, George Elliot Jr. and wife Barbara; and sister, Martha Davis, widow of Chester S. Davis. Graveside services will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Salazar Family of Block-Salazar Mortuary.
Dated: September 11, 2003
GEORGE TAPIA, 77, of Santa Fe, died Tuesday following a brief illness. He was born July 13, 1926, in Tapia. He married Cecilia Tapia on Dec. 5, 1947. He had been employed with the First National Bank since 1962 and retired in 1991. He was also an usher for St. Anne's Parish for 42 years, as well as a member of La Union Protectiva. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rosendo Tapia and Pablita Gallegos Tapia; brothers, Felipe and Bennie Tapia and sister, Flora Sandoval. He is survived by his wife, Cecilia Tapia; sons, Ross Tapia and wife Bella, Carlos Tapia and wife Gloria, George M. Tapia; daughter, Diana Sena; brothers, Adelaido Tapia, Fidel Tapia and wife Belle; sister, Clorinda Orosco; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Visitation will be 3-5 p.m. today at Berardinelli Family Chapel. A rosary will be recited at 7 tonight at St. Anne's Catholic Church. Mass will be celebrated at noon Friday at the same church. Burial will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Berardinelli Family Funeral Service.
Dated: September 11, 2003
CARLOTA (CHARLOTTE) VALDEZ, 73, of Chama, died Monday after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her son, Alex; husband, Max; sister, Tillie; brother, Leon; and parents, Ignacio and Antonia Arellano. She is survived by her daughter, Gaylen Aguilar and husband Wilfredo; three grandchildren; sister, Frances Chavez and husband Leo of Cuba; brother, Elias Arellano and wife Udela of Bernalillo; and many other relatives and friends. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Chama. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at the same church with burial to follow at the Chama Cemetery. DeVargas Funeral Home of the Española Valley.
Dated: September 11, 2003
GENEVIEVE WATLING, 83, of Española, died unexpectedly Saturday. She was a retired school teacher from the Española Public Schools. She was involved with the Senior Citizens Center in Santa Cruz. She was preceded in death by her parents, Antonio and Emma Griego; sisters, Mary Lucero, Lillian Maestas, Ella Padilla, Florence Griego, Bernardita Griego; brother, Ruben Griego; and her husband Orville Watling. She is survived by her sister, Irene Valdez and husband Gilbert of Española; and many other relatives and friends. Cremation has taken place. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Española. Interment of the cremains will follow at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery in Española. DeVargas Funeral Home of the Española Valley.
Dated: September 11, 2003
TEODOCIO FRESQUEZ, 81, of Las Vegas, N.M., died Wednesday. He was born to Rudolpho and Julianita Fresquez on Jan. 3, 1922. He was raised in Chacon. He served in World War II from November 1942 to October 1945. He also worked for the Union Pacific Railroad in Cheyenne, Wyo., for 14 years and worked for the city of Las Vegas, where he retired after 10 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Marcella JoAnn Fresquez; brother, Arcenio Fresquez; sisters, Celestina Martinez, Florence Maestas and Pauline Gallegos; father-in-law, Jose Enrique Maestas; and mother-in-law, Domicinda Maestas.
He is survived by his wife, Rufie Fresquez of the family home; sons, Flavio and wife Betty Fresquez of Chacon, Billy and wife Jenny Fresquez of Chacon, Ted and wife Pauline Fresquez of Phoenix, Clarence Fresquez of Denver; daughters, Marcella and husband Leroy (Huero) Sanchez of Las Vegas, N.M., Fabiola and husband Eulalio Duran of Chacon, Elma and husband Rudy of Denver, Genevieve Fresquez of Las Vegas, N.M.; 23 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Leopoldo Fresquez of Cheyenne, Wyo.,; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at San Antonio Catholic Church in Chacon. Burial will follow at the San Antonio Cemetery in Chacon.
Nelson Funeral Home.
Dated: September 13, 2003
