Maximiano V. Mondragón, 89, of Llano Quemado passed away on June 21, 2006. He retired from the Union Pacific Railroad in Wyoming in 1979. He is preceded in death by his wife, Felonis María Mondragón, sons, Daniel & Bonifacio Mondragon, parents, Juan Bautista & Silveria Mondragón. He is survived by his children, Charlie Mondragón, Maxine Baca (Martin), Barbara Mondragón, Roberta Romero (Daniel) all from Llano Quemado. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 6 great great grand children, and many other relatives.
Rosary was recited on June 25, 2006. Funeral mass was held on June 26, 2006. Both services were held at San Francisco de Asís Catholic Church. Interment was held at New Llano Quemado cemetery. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
José Eloy F. Trujillo, age 72, beloved husband, dad, grandpa, brother and friend was called home to be with the Lord June 17, 2006. Mr. Trujillo was a graduate of Taos High School and went on to graduate from the College of Santa Fe with a Bachelors Degree in Art. He enjoyed oil painting, woodcarving, quilting, poetry and writing. Mr. Trujillo served his country proudly in the United States Air Force. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul, Holy Name Society and Sociedad Colonial Español de Santa Fe. Mr. Trujillo retired in 1989 from the United States Postal Service where he worked for many years. He is preceded in death by his father Melitón Trujillo; son Baby Joseph Trujillo; sisters Dolores Struck and Priscilla Trujillo and granddaughter Lauren Trujillo. He is survived by his loving wife Irene Trujillo; children Joseph Trujillo and wife Jennifer, Danny Trujillo, Tommy Trujillo, Carlos Mark Trujillo, and David Trujillo; daughters Loretta Cuthrell and Blair, Susie Romero and husband Bernie, Eleanor Blokzyl and husband Brad, and Rebecca Trujillo; grandchildren Mikey Saíz, Ashleigh, Elijah and Joshua Trujillo, Nikki, Gabby and Jackie Blokzyl and Zierra Trujillo; mother Elena Trujillo; brothers Meliton Trujillo, Jr. and wife Louise, David Trujillo, Steven Trujillo and wife Diana, and Jake Trujillo and numerous relatives, friends, and extended family. He will be greatly missed by his loving family.
A rosary will be recited Wednesday evening June 21, 2006 at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church at 7:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday morning June 22, 2006 at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church at 9:00am. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National cemetery. Services are entrusted to: La Paloma Funeral Home 1424 4th Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 983-2555
Johnny Anthony Lucero, 17, of Llano Largo passed away on June 17, 2006. He was a 2006 graduate of Peñasco High School. He is survived by his parents, Albert & Gloria Lucero, sisters, Cheryl Lucero of Albuquerque and April Lucero of Peñasco. He is survived by his grandparents, Ted & Alice Muñiz of Llano Largo and George & Corina Lucero of El Valle, numerous uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.
Rosary was recited on June 20, 2006. Funeral mass was held on June 21, 2006. Both services were held at San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church in Penasco. Interment was held at Llano Largo cemetery. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
Edna I. Abeyta, 80, a resident of Albuquerque and formerly of Taos, passed away on Saturday, June 17, 2006 following a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rubén Abeyta; brothers, Felix and Bernardo Gonzales; sisters, Tavita and Beatrice Romero and Santana Youngbauer. Edna was a waitress at the Steak House and Charro Resturants in Taos for numerous years. Edna is survived by her sons, Joe Abeyta and wife Kathy, Leroy Abeyta and wife Diane and Juan Lorenzo Abeyta all of Albuquerquel; daughter, Debbie Apodaca and husband Lemuel of Albuquerque; sisters, Margaret Lane of Taos, Mary Mondragón of Denver; 16 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends. Services are pending. The family of Edna I. Abeyta has entrusted her funeral services to DeVargas Funeral Home of the Española Valley.
Catherine Florencourt Firth was born in Savannah, GA on April 28, 1929 and died of a heart attack on Saturday, June 17, 2006 at the Holy Cross Hospital in Taos, NM. She earned AB cum laude from Radcliffe College in 1950, served as President of Radcliffe Alumnae in Kansas City for 14 years. She earned her MA in Remedial Reading Instruction from U. of MOKC. Catherine Earned a US Treasury Card to practice before the IRS, and became an Enrolled Agent. She developed an independent accounting and tax practice in KC. She earned a Series 7 license from the NASD to assist her husband in his investment management practice. She served as president of the Women's Committee of the UMKC School of Music. Catherine loved chamber music, fine arts, food and wine, reading, her boxer dogs and travel. She lived, worked and traveled worldwide for 55 years with her husband, Richard E. Firth who survives her. She is also survived by two sisters, W. Louise Florencourt of Milledgeville, GA and Frances B. Florencourt of Arlington, MA. Catherine had requested that there be no memorial contribution or flowers. A private memorial service will be held on a later date. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home, 505-758-3841,
José Melcor Sánchez, 77, of Taos passed away on June 15, 2006. He is preceded in death by his parents, Alfredo and Gomicinda Sánchez, sister, Anita Martinez. brother, Elizardo Sánchez and nephew, Paul Sánchez. He is survived by his sisters, Juanita and Julia Sánchez, brothers, Manuel, Aurelio (Bella) and Alberto Sánchez, nephews, nieces and other relatives.
Rosary was recited on June 19, 2006. Funeral mass was held on June 20, 2006. Both services were held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment was held at Arroyo Seco cemetery. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
Robert Charles (Ekos) Rothafel, born on March 31, 1944 in Los Angeles, CA. passed away on June 15, 2006. He is survived by his many friends, daughters, Angelica Z. S. Rothafel and Rosezena R. Hodges and sisters, Robin Burrows and Roxanne Rothafel. Robert lived a rich, full life. He got to travel and see things many people only dream of. Robert (Ekos) was an active part of the hippie movement to Taos. He also drove the Questa and Taos ambulances for many years. His journey brought him back to Taos to be surrounded by all the people who loved him and to be in the place he loved most. Memorial will be held on Sunday, July 2, 2006. Please call 7511583 for information. Arrangements by Rivera- Hanlon Funeral Home.
Dorothy “La Dot” C. Padilla, 55, of El Prado passed away on June 14, 2006. She is preceded in death by her father, Alberto Padilla, brother, Laudencio Padilla and sister, Stella Ruedemann. She is survived by her sons, Leroy Padilla (Sharon) and Michael Padilla (Trish) all of Taos, grandchildren, Lily Padilla, Mariah Voigt, Michael Padilla, Kristen Padilla, Andrés Rivera, sisters and brother, Frances Espinoza (Billy), Alex and Mary Ann Padilla.
Rosary was recited on June 18, 2006. Funeral mass was held on June 19, 2006. Both services were held at San Isidro Catholic Church in Los Córdovas. Interment was held at Dolores cemetery in Cañon. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
Ralph Aguilar, 42, of Ranchos de Taos passed away unexpectedly on June 14, 2006. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Soledad Aguilar. He is survived by his fiancée, Tracy Klain, daughter, Lydia Campbell, mother, Arcelia Martínez (Pat) of Española, sisters and brothers, Annie Pacheco (David) of Rio Rancho, Nick Tafoya (Irene) of Talpa, Louisa Sanchez of Talpa, Phil Aguilar of Talpa, Mavilis Tafoya (Berlinda) of Española, Larry Tafoya of Talpa, step sister, Pauline Lucero, numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. Rosary was held on June 16, 2006 at Rivera Chapel.
Funeral mass was held on June 17, 2006 at Talpa Capilla. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
Loretta L. Romero, 53, of Taos passed away on June 13, 2006. She is preceded in death by her parents, Lolo and Polly Montoya, father in law, Julian Romero Sr., brother, Joseph Montoya and niece, Elena Gonzales. She is survived by her husband, Julian N. Romero, children, Laura Durán (Tom) of Río Rancho and Matthew Romero (Monica) of Taos, grandchildren, Samantha, Mariah, Serena and Michael Durán, Brandon and Brianna Winter, Cipriana and Mariah Romero, sisters and brothers, Carmen Gonzales (Tele), Annie Montoya-McCallum (Ken), Lloyd Montoya, Mario Montoya (Sharon), Melissa Winter (James), mother in law, Julia C. Romero, brothers in law, Alex Romero (Jolly), Leo Romero, godchildren, Gwen Romero, Rhonda Montoya, Consuelo Córdova, Robert Rivera, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Rosary was recited on June 15, 2006. Funeral mass was held on June 16, 2006. Both services were held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment was held at Dolores cemetery in El Prado. Arrangements by Rivera- Hanlon Funeral Home.
Sabinita Córdoba Argüello, 93, of Ranchos de Taos passed on June 13, 2006. She is preceded in death by her parents, Juan Bautista and Francis P. Córdoba, daughter, Cornelia García, infant daughter, Marcía Arguello, grandson, Michael Medina and great grandson, Marcus Brengman. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Fermin Arguello, children, Beatriz Gonzales (Juan), Lucia Medina (Teodoro), Maria Natividad Romo (Felipe), David Arguello (Trinidad), Carlos Arguello (Elena) and son in law, Reynaldo García (Mary). She is also survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
Rosaries were recited on June 15, 2006 at Rivera Chapel and on June 16, 2006 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Funeral mass was held on June 17, 2006 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Interment was held at Valdez cemetery. Arrangements by Rivera- Hanlon Funeral Home.
Anthony Mondragón, 38, of Llano Quemado passed away on August 1, 2006. He worked as a service manger at Taos Cycle Works. He is preceded in death by his mother, Tomasita Mondragón and father in law, Roy Alaniz. Anthony is survived by his wife, Debra Mondragón and sons, Anthony and Thomas Mondragón, father, Tony Mondragón, brother, Elmo Mondragon, sisters, Geraldine Lubkman and Shamira Quassam, mother in law, Stella Alaniz, godchildren, Samantha Salazar, Danny Martínez and Aaron Alaniz and many other relatives.
Rosary was recited on August 4, 2006. Funeral mass was held on August 5, 2006. Both services were held at San Francisco de Asís Catholic Church. Interment was held at New Llano Quemado cemetery. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home. .
Vera Louise James Levison, 88, passed from this life on July 23, 2006 at her home in Taos. Vera was well known in Taos for her involvement in many aspects of community life. All who knew her recognized her great passion for swimming. A familiar face at the Northside Spa, she swam almost daily until her recent illness. She competed in the National & State Senior Olympics and is a current record holder in six swimming events. A longtime summer resident of Bay Head, NJ, being near the ocean was perhaps her greatest love. Her home and grounds are a testimony to her skills as a watercolorist and gifted gardener. An avid reader, she was a volunteer for many years at the Harwood and Taos Public Libraries, as well as a dedicated pet lover and film buff.
Holding degrees from Bennington College and Yale University, she pursued a career as a research scientist, chemist, and teacher at the college and high school levels.
Vera leaves behind children Lisa Peters, of Doylestown, PA, Lorie Levison and Michael Levison, Taos; grand children Amos Hockmeyer, Taos, Kristine Levison, Denver; and great-granddaughter, Brianna Levison.
An informal memorial gathering is planned for Saturday, August 26, 2006, 35pm at the Parish Hall of St. James Church, Taos.
Nicholas Angelo Roberts Romero, 9 years old, resident of Ranchos De Taos and Silver City, NM entered into the arms of our Lord on the Morning of July 25th, 2006 as a result of a motor vehicle accident outside of Kingman, Arizona.
He was born in Silver City, NM on September 10th 1996 and brought infinite joy and spirit to all who knew him. In his short life Nicholas touched the lives of many and the memory of his smile and humor will remain in our hearts forever. He will be extremely missed by his family and friends. In addition to his parents Francisco F. Romero and Deanna S. Romero, Nicholas is also survived by his grandparents, José De La Luz Romero & Guillerma Romero from Taos and Hector Rubio Salas from California. He is also survived by his God Parents Bob and Alice Romero and uncles and aunts, Joe Romero Jr. (Yvonne), María Penner (Carl), Raymond Romero ( Darlene), Randy Romero (Amy), Julie Caffrey (Kevin), Delores Serio ( Don), Yvonne Miranda (John), Roy Salas (Lucinda), Roland Salas (Maxine), Laurie Ortega, Debbie Hegepedth (Derick), and Margo Salas. Nicholas is also survived by many cousins, other relatives and a host of friends and extended family.
Memorial rosary will be held on Sunday, August 6th, 2006 at 7 PM at San Francisco de Asís Church in Ranchos de Taos, NM. The funeral mass is scheduled to take place on Friday, August 11, 2006 at 10 AM at St. Francis Newman Center Parish in Silver City, NM. Interment will follow at the Vandium cemetery.
John George Kunesh and Denise Hancock Kunesh
John George Kunesh, age 67 and Denise Hancock Kunesh, age 63 died on Saturday July 29, 2006 due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. John and Denise had been happily married
for 20 years and during their marriage they enjoyed many adventures including trips to Hawaii, Florida, Europe, the Far East and anywhere that the wind took them. On one of these vacations, they traveled to Red River, NM and fell in love with the town and the community. They returned to Red River each year on vacation and then eight years later, they built their dream home in 2002 and became permanent residents of the community.
In Red River Denise and John enjoyed hiking, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing and through these activities made several good friends who became a part of their family. They had a strong love for all animals and owned several dogs throughout their marriage. They also had a tendency to take in stray cats, and, at one point their home was the home for all homeless cats as Denise had set up heat lamps on timers and beds and fed all that came by for feeding. They loved each and every one of their animals with all of their hearts and treated them like the valued children they were.
John and Denise were also active in community activities and were known to spend Thanksgiving morning working in soup kitchens for the needy. John was planning on teaching math at the University this Fall and was working as an independent contractor on projects for the Department of Energy. Denise was employed as a director of nurse certification and traveled throughout New Mexico administering certification tests and managing nursing programs. They enjoyed hiking with their dog Diego and were known to bring him all over town and on many of their journeys. They also loved traveling back East to visit with their family and grandchildren and made the trip two to three times each year. Denise never missed a baby or bridal shower and really made a strong effort to not let the distance interfere with family relations. Prior to living in New Mexico John and Denise lived in New Jersey where they met and fell in love and then were relocated to Burbank, California. While in Burbank they took up mountain biking and cycled nearly every weekend. Eventually John's job brought them to Stillwater, Oklahoma where Denise continued her work in home health care and earned her PH.D.
They made several life long friends and joined a cycling club and participated in regular weekend rides and Oklahoma FreeWheel, an annual weeklong cross-state bicycle ride. Denise is survived by her two daughters, sons-in-law and grand children: Diane, Tom and Thomas Oborne of Hamilton, NJ; Linda, John and Julia Ahrens of Clarksburg, MD and her sisters Beth Jablonski of Manahawkin, NJ, Eileen Brown of Surf City, NJ and Sister-In-Law Colleen Hancock of Hamilton, NJ as well as many aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. John is survived by his three children and a son-in-law and daughter-in-law and 4 grandchildren: Susan, Christopher Sean, Megan Burke of Phoenix, Arizona; Jan Kunesh of Los Angeles, California; and John, Lisa, Jacqueline and Katy Kunesh of Manhattan Beach, California. John and Denise touched the lives of many people and have many friends across the Country. Visitation will begin on Saturday, August 5, 2006 at 11 AM and a service will follow at 12 PM at Rivera- Hanlon Funeral Home, 818 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM 87571. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the ASPCA or the Red River Volunteer Fire Department. Arrangements by Rivera- Hanlon Funeral Home.
Stephen Michael Patrick, born April 18, 1951, transitioned recently in Abiquiú, New Mexico from a heart attack. He was raised in Livermore, California and is survived by his parents, Dick & Beth Patrick of Livermore, and sisters Melanie of Arcata, CA, Carol of Portland, OR, Connie & husband Norm Harris of Palmer, Alaska and Grandmother Doris Patrick of Grass Valley, CA. Many beloved nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts and friends have been blessed to know and learn from him. His community circles include, but are not limited to; the Syda Yoga Foundation in Oakland, where he did seva and construction work, Dutch Flat community where he is known for his photography, artwork, graphic design and finally Taos, New Mexico where he served doing art, construction, design and painting. His home was in Ojo Caliente where he was restoring an old adobe to serve as his studio where his family will continue his vision. He will be remembered for his artwork, his creative designs, his paintings, expression of spiritual beliefs, sharing deeply and living passionately. As family, we will miss him dearly and yet are thankful and appreciative of how he enriched our lives, and so many others with his compassion and energy. We are comforted knowing he is free of his physical body and soaring joyously in spirit. Donations may be made to Las Clinicas Del Norte Ojo Caliente, PO Box 307, Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, 87549 in memory of Stephen Michael Patrick.
