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Ethel Ruth "Ett" Dosher
Ethel Ruth "Ett" Dosher, 79, who lived in Durango for 33 years, died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003, at the Delta County Memorial Hospital in Delta. She died of a stroke, said her son, Gordon Dosher.
Mrs. Dosher was born on Feb. 8, 1924, in Delta, the daughter of Theodora (Scheid) Fulghum and Charles Fulghum.
She graduated from Delta High School in 1943 and attended Western State College in Gunnison.
She married Floyd W. Dosher on Aug. 22,1947, in Albuquerque.
During World War II, Mrs. Dosher was a defense worker in the mode of Rosie the Riveter and then a lab technician in a uranium-processing plant in Durango.
She moved to Durango in 1945. Then Mrs. Dosher worked as a bookkeeper for the La Plata County Assessor. She stayed in Durango to raise her children.
Mrs. Dosher moved back to Delta in 1978 to be close to friends and family.
She was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Delta where she served as a deacon, a trustee and a prayer chain co-leader. She also volunteered at the Delta County Museum. Her hobbies included reading, especially history.
"She loved connecting with her friends and her very extended family," said Gordon Dosher. "She will be deeply missed by all those who were close to her, and there were many."
She was preceded in death by her husband on June 22, 1968, and her infant daughter.
Mrs. Dosher is survived by her children: Gordon Dosher of Plymouth, Minn., and Diana Stiver of Colorado Springs; her sister, Catherine Grimes of Sheridan, Wyo.; and her grandchildren: Megan, Peter and Nathan Dosher.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Presbyterian Church of Delta. The Rev. Bill Forbes will officiate.
Condolences may be sent to the family through the online memorial at www.mesaview.net.
Donations may be made to the Presbyterian Church of Delta, P.O. Box 143, Delta, CO 81416, or the Delta County Historical Society, 251 Meeker Street, Delta 81416.
Betty Virginia Shepard
Betty Virginia Shepard, 82, who lived in Durango for 10 years, died early Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center. She died of natural causes, her family said.
Shepard practiced as a marriage and family therapist. She was active in the community, an environmentalist and an aficionado of music and the arts.
"She lived her life with courage and passion," said her daughter, Elizabeth Corley. "She touched many lives. Her humor, vibrancy and determination will be sorely missed."
Ms. Shepard was born July 27, 1921, in Kansas City, Mo., and spent her childhood in New York City. She was the only surviving child of James Byron and Mildred Holmes Shelhorse.
She received her bachelor of arts degree at New York University in 1942 and undertook graduate work at NYU after her marriage in 1942 to the late Wallace Hamilton, an author.
After leaving New York in 1950, they lived in Berkeley, Calif., with their three sons. In 1958, after moving back to New York with her children, she married Dr. Edward Morse Shepard, of Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.
After having a daughter in 1960, she moved with her family to Woodstock, Vt., in 1969. In 1976, she returned to school in New York and San Francisco, receiving her master's degree in psychology from Antioch University in 1983. She completed clinical training from the Graduate School of Psychology at J.F.K University in 1985. She worked in community mental health and had a private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Durango until she retired in 2000.
She loved classical music and enjoyed going to Music in the Mountains. She was a member of the Sierra Club and went on many hiking and camping trips in the mountains.
Ms. Shepard is survived by her children, Geoffrey Hamilton of Honolulu, Hugh Hamilton of Denver, Naudain (Dane) Hamilton of New York City and Elizabeth Shepard Corley of Bayfield. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Summer Elizabeth Hamilton, Sarah Hamilton, Whitman Hamilton, and Caitlin Brigid Hamilton.
A memorial ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 10, 2004, at the Durango Friends Meeting House, 803 County Road 233.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Women's Resource Center of Durango.
Jessie Ann Pearse
Jessie Ann Pearse, 94, who lived in Durango for 11 years during the 1980s and 1990s, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She had been living at Palisade Living Center in Palisade since 1995.
Mrs. Pearse was born on a small farm in New Plymouth, Idaho, on Aug. 5, 1909. She was the last of nine children of Jemima Alice (Fursee) Philliber and William Clinton Philliber.
She completed her training as a registered nurse at St. Luke's Hospital in Boise, Idaho, in 1931. She married C. Kenneth Pearse, a research agronomist with the U.S. Forest Service in 1933. They lived in Idaho, Utah, Washington D.C., and Arizona until 1953. In that year, the Pearses began working with foreign aid, first with the U.S. State Department, then with the United Nations. They lived in Egypt, Guatemala, Ecuador, Guyana, Italy, Iran and Thailand.
After they retired in 1969, Mr. and Mrs. Pearse lived in Laguna Hills, Calif., Durango, Albuquerque and Grand Junction. Mrs. Pearse was a devoted homemaker who enjoyed cooking for her family and entertaining friends from all over the world. She had an affection for cats, and whenever possible kept at least one pet.
"She took great care of the family," said her son, John Pearse. Mrs. Pearse was a secular humanist, who had strong feelings about women's rights and overpopulation.
Her husband and two grandchildren preceded her in death.
She is survived by her sons, John Pearse of Pacific Grove, Calif., Tim Pearse of Hardin Ill., and Spencer Pearse of Durango, who owned and operated the Warm Flow restaurant in Durango; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
No services are planned. The family will take Mrs. Pearse's ashes, along with those of her husband, to Idaho this summer.
Marian Josephine Salzillo
Marian Josephine Salzillo, 75, the inspiration behind the Durango and Hermosa restaurants, Mama's Boy Italian Ristorante, died on Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, in Denver. She died of a heart attack following surgery, her family said.
Mrs. Salzillo was born on Oct. 19,1928, in New York City's Little Italy, the daughter of Caterina Sansaverina and James Breeze. At the age of 17, her mother died and she had to leave school to care for her younger brother and sister.
She completed her high school equivalency certificate in her 50s.
She married her second husband, Thomas Salzillo, on Aug. 29, 1953, in the Bronx, N.Y.
Mrs. Salzillo worked as a bookkeeper in Manhattan and in New Jersey.
Mrs. Salzillo moved to Durango five years ago. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and helping the prep cook in her son's restaurants.
"I've named my restaurants Mama's Boy because the recipes we use are primarily from our house in New York," said Mrs. Salzillo's son, James Salzillo.
She is preceded in death by her husband.
Mrs. Salzillo is survived by her children, August Ruggiero of Warwick, N.Y., Phyllis Ford of Aztec, James Salzillo of Durango, Guy Salzillo of Florida, N.Y., and Michael Salzillo of Warwick; her sister, Gertrude DeFrancesco of Rio Rancho, N.M.; her brother, Michael John Breeze of Winslow, Ariz.; her grandchildren, Edward Stutey and Steven Stutey, both of Durango, Tracy Ruggiero of Staten Island, N.Y., Tara Cook of Warwick, and Giustino Salzillo, Gian Salzillo and Gabriela Salzillo, all of Durango; and her great-grandchildren, Jesse James Stutey and Maddy Grace Stutey, both of Durango.
Visitation will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Hood Mortuary, and from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday with a rosary to follow, again at Hood. A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Columba Catholic Church. The Rev. Jim Koenigsfeld will officiate. Burial will take place at Memory Gardens in Aztec.
Nancy Jo Neal
Nancy Jo Neal, a Durango native, died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, at her home in Durango from natural causes. She was 65.
Ms. Neal was born Aug. 1, 1938, in Durango to Joseph and Lola Kemp. She grew up in Aztec and graduated from Aztec High School.
She was the first female Realtor in Durango and the first woman to open a real-estate brokerage in Durango, according to her family.
Ms. Neal collected American Indian art, and she enjoyed weaving, reading and fishing with her son. She loved animals. Ms. Neal also was a member of the Rose Society.
"She was a loving and caring friend and will be missed tremendously by everyone who knew her. She touched many lives," said her friend, Sheryl Hyde.
She is survived by many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her son, Tommy Neal.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Hood Mortuary. Pastor Frank Kihn will officiate. Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary Crematory.
Memorial contributions may be made to the La Plata County Humane Society, P.O. Box 2164, Durango, CO 81302, or the American Lung Association of Colorado, P.O. Box 3145, Grand Junction, CO 81502.
Philip Catalano
Former Alamosa resident Philip Catalano died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003, in Pueblo. He was 83.
Mr. Catalano was born May 22, 1920, in Alamosa to Filipo and Piedra Catalano. He married Grace Marjorie Burns on Jan. 21, 1950.
Mr. Catalano raised vegetables, brewing barley, potatoes and alfalfa hay on the 320-acre family farm south of Alamosa.The farm had been his parents'.
Survivors include one daughter, Marilyn Averett of Roseburg, Ore.; six sons, Jim Catalano of Fort Collins, Philip Catalano of Durango, Larry Catalano of Cheyenne, Wyo., Roger Catalano of Pueblo West, Neil Catalano of Louisville and Glen Catalano of Longmont; two sisters, Katherine Johnson of Alamosa and Mary Foster of Denver; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Grandson Justin Catalano of Durango is the ditch rider for the Florida Canal and Enlargement ditch companies on Florida Mesa. His sister, Rae Lynn Dearen, lives in La Plata, N.M.
Mr. Catalano was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Marjorie Catalano, three brothers and one sister.
A vigil service with recitation of the rosary was held Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003, at Romero Funeral Home in Alamosa.
A funeral service was held Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, at Sacred Heart Church in Alamosa, with burial following in the Alamosa Cemetery.
David Eugene Huffman
David Eugene Huffman, 48, of Durango, died at home on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003. He died of cancer, said his wife, Susie Huffman.
Mr. Huffman was born on Oct. 28, 1955, in Walsenburg to Albina M. (Marcon) Huffman and William L. Huffman Sr. The family moved to Durango in 1965. Mr. Huffman graduated from Durango High School in 1973, then attended Fort Lewis College for four years.
He married Susie Short, of Durango, on Valentine's Day in 1981 in Santa Fe. The couple enjoyed 22 years together, highlighted by sharing the outdoors and traveling.
Mr. Huffman worked at the Helmur Corporation, where he enjoyed working with people in the oil and gas industry.
He was a sports fan who played football and baseball and wrestled in high school. He was also a hunter, water skier, scuba diver and enjoyed snowmobiling and four-wheeling. He was a high-school football referee for many years and a member of the Colorado Football Officials Association.
"The family would like to thank the Rev. Larry Gallegos, Dr. Joseph Murphy, the staff of Mercy Hospital, the Hospice of Mercy hospital and the entire community for their love and support during this difficult time," said Mrs. Huffman.
Mr. Huffman is survived by his wife, of Durango; his mother, of Durango; his sisters, Marian Blythe of Durango, Georgia Willcox of Thornton, Cathy Huffman of Durango, Elizabeth Smith of Grand Junction, and Debra Smith of Northglenn; his brother, John Huffman of Salt Lake City, and 12 nieces and nephews.
Visitation will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Hood Mortuary with a rosary to follow. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Donations may be made to Fort Lewis College Foundation Scholarships in care of Sheri Rochford, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301.
George David Baker
Durango native, George David Baker, 74, died on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2003, in Flagstaff, Ariz. He died of lung cancer, said an official of Greer's Mortuary in Winslow, Ariz.
Mr. Baker, who was fluent in Navajo, was known as "Jaadi Yazzie" which in Navajo means "antelope or legs short," said his wife, Willa Baker. The name arose when he bought a trading post from a man whose legs, his customers thought, were longer than Mr. Baker's.
Mr. Baker was born on Jan. 15, 1929, in Durango, the son of Mary and David Baker. The family's land was what is now Wal-Mart. Baker Lane was named after his family.
He graduated from Durango High School in 1946 then served with the U.S. Army in France from 1951 to 1953.
In 1951, he married Norma Jean Smith, who was also of Durango. They had three sons, David, Donald and Richard Baker.
Mr. Baker went to work for Russell and Lloyd Foutz at a trading post at Teec Nos Pos, Ariz., west of Shiprock, N.M. He quickly learned the Navajo language and moved from the Four Corners area to the Sun Rise Trading Post in Leupp, Ariz.
From Leupp, he moved to Winslow, where he bought a trading post from Jot Stiles. This became Baker's Trading Post and from it Mr. Baker served the Navajos for 37 years.
He married for the second time Willa Jean Calloway, of Durango in 1991.
Mr. Baker's priorities in life were his dedication to Jesus Christ, his church and his family.
"He never met a stranger," Willa Baker said. "His love for life and laughter were felt by everyone he met. He had a wonderful relationship with the Navajo people. Both of his wives were from Durango, and we often thought back to people in Durango."
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Baker, and his son, Richard Stephen Baker.
Mr. Baker is survived by his wife, of Winslow; his sons: David Baker and Don Baker, both of Winslow, Joseph Calloway of Phoenix, Casey Calloway of Gilbert, Ariz., and Fred Calloway of Phoenix: his grandchildren: Gina Baker, Jennifer Repak, David Baker and Jonathan Baker; 10 step-grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, with another one expected.
A service was held Dec. 6, at Desert View Baptist Church, in Winslow. The Rev. Michael Haggard officiated. Burial was in Desert View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Desert View Baptist Church Building Fund, 100 North Hipkoe, Winslow 86047; the American Cancer Society, 2724 East Lakin Drive, No. 9, Flagstaff 86004; American Heart Association, 1280 South Parker Road, Denver 80231-2100. Top of Page
