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Henrietta Harrison
Henrietta Harrison, 94, an avid gardener and the child of a pioneer family, died on Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center. The cause of death was complications from a stroke.
She was born Nov. 30, 1909, in Kline, to Daphne Maxwell Baird and James Alexander Baird.
Mrs. Harrison was the seventh of 13 children of this pioneer family, and many family members remained in the area.
She married Claude Harrison on July 13, 1928, in Aztec. The couple moved to a small ranch on the Pine River near Bayfield in 1939, and she spent the rest of her life there. Her husband died in 1967.
Mrs. Harrison spent her life growing things - vegetables, flowers, fruit and livestock. In the summers, she raised a huge garden, and her family remembers battles with weeds, raccoons and prairie dogs. During the winter, she liked to sew and crochet. Most of all, she enjoyed sharing the fruits of all her labors with friends and family.
"Many nap under her afghans and fondly remember her raspberries," said her son Merle Harrison.
In recent years, her mind had been clouded by Alzheimer's disease, but her friend and neighbor of 60 years, Bea Bartholomew, and her family helped her to stay at home until this year. She spent the last few months of her life at Sunshine Gardens Country Home.
She is survived by her son Merle Harrison of Durango; sisters June Frame of Aztec, and Verna "Tine" Percell of Cortez; brother Frank Baird of Grand Junction; and numerous nieces and nephews.
"Henrietta said she had been to so many damn funerals in her life she didn't want any part of one more," said her son, "so there will be no services. We will tell stories and celebrate her life at the next Baird family reunion. Grow a tomato plant in her honor next summer."
Peter Michael McGarry
Dr. Peter Michel McGarry, 72, who split his time between Durango and St. Petersburg, Fla., died Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center. The cause of death was complications from cancer.
Dr. McGarry was born March 16, 1932, in Bronxville, N.Y., to Mark and Helen McGarry. He married Mary Ann Moorer on Feb. 26, 1971, in St. Petersburg.
He spent 1956-58 in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed at Fort Rucker, Ala. After his service, he had a 40-year career as an endodontist in St. Petersburg.
In his spare time, Dr. McGarry enjoyed fishing, hunting and golfing.
His family said, "Peter enjoyed sharing his love of God's creation with many special buddies, his two brothers, wife and daughters. His humor was his trademark, and we will miss him greatly."
Dr. McGarry is survived by his wife, Mary Ann McGarry, of Durango and St. Petersburg, Fla.; daughters Catherine McGarry and Lynn McGarry Jewett, both of Santa Barbara, Calif.; brother Mark McGarry of Durango; one granddaughter; and one stepgranddaughter.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Hood Mortuary. Deacon Mary Edlund, with the First United Methodist Church of Durango, will officiate. Cremation will occur.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3801 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301.
Dorothy Watkins Meyer
An active member of the Christian Science Church, Dorthy Watkins Meyer, 86, died on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004, at Crane's Roost in Aztec. The cause of death was cancer.
Mrs. Meyer was born on May 20, 1918, in Winfield, Mo., to Brevator and Ota Wise. She married Donley E. Watkins on July 6, 1938, in Raton, N.M. After his death in March 1978, she married H. Edward Meyer on July 23, 1979, in Alton, Ill.
For 27 years, she was an officer at Alton Banking and Trust in Alton. When she lived there, she was a charter member of the JZ Chapter of P.E.O.
"She loved to entertain," said her daughter, Patricia Watkins. "P.E.O. is a philanthropic ladies organization, and she was a member for 55 years. They met every two weeks, and she was frequently the hostess."
Mrs. Meyer was also instrumental in building a new Christian Science Church in Godfrey, Ill.
She moved to Durango in October 1999, where she was a resident at Sunshine Gardens and Four Corners Health Care Center.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Donley E, Watkins; and her second husband, H. Edward Meyer.
Mrs. Meyer is survived by her son Donley E. Watkins Jr. of Durango; daughter Patricia A. Watkins of Durango; six grandchildren including Donley Watkins III, Stacy Hegarty and Kelly Hegarty, all of Durango; 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
Private services are planned in Alton.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 3801 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301.
Jose Eugenio Quintana
He was born in the town of Rosa, N.M., before it was submerged under Navajo Lake. Jose Eugenio Quintana, 89, died on Sept. 14, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center. The cause of death was pneumonia.
He was born Nov. 15, 1914, to Salamon and Ruben Quintana. He married Guadalupe "Lupe" M. Martinez in 1940 in Durango.
Mr. Quintana worked in Silverton as a hard-rock miner until 1941. After that, he was employed by the Colorado Department of Highways (now the Colorado Department of Transportation) until his retirement in 1978.
"He worked hard all his life, so he didn't have a lot of hobbies," said his son, Joseph Quintana. "But he liked to watch football and keep up on world news."
Mr. Quintana was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
"He was a very quiet, reserved man," said his son. "A very caring man and an extremely generous man. He was also the strongest man I knew."
Mr. Quintana was preceded in death by his wife, Lupe Quintana, in 1998, and a son, Euselio Quintana.
He is survived by his son Joseph Quintana of Durango; daughter Suzanne Martinez of Durango; brothers Eloy Quintana of Durango and Rumaldo Quintana of Albuquerque; and sisters Josie Roller of San Mateo, Calif., and Juanita Quintana, Isadora Quintana and Patricia Gallegos, all of Salt Lake City.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday at Hood Mortuary. A rosary will be said at 6 p.m. Friday and a Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday, both at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The Rev. Joseph L. Gallegos will officiate. Burial will follow at Greenmount Cemetery.
Priscilla Anna Maria Martinez
After a long fight with leukemia, Priscilla Anna Maria Martinez, 66, died Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center.
She was born on Sept. 17, 1937, to Irene Chavez and Max Aragon Sr. in Pagosa Junction. She married Eligio "E.J." Martinez in June 1956. Mrs. Martinez held numerous jobs throughout her life.
"She sometimes had to be mom and dad when my dad was sick in the VA Hospital in Grand Junction," said her son Leonard Martinez. "She was my baseball coach and did everything for me."
Mrs. Martinez liked to crochet and to spend time with family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Charlotte Martinez.
Mrs. Martinez is survived by her husband, E.J. Martinez, of Ignacio; son Leonard Martinez of Durango; daughter Loretta Barnes of League City, Texas; grandchildren Brandon Martinez of Ignacio, Kandyce Galemore of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Kris Martinez, Kurtis Martinez and Priscilla Barnes, all of Durango; mother Irene Gomez of Pagosa Springs; seven sisters including Virginia Gomez, Teresa Gomez and Edulia Martinez, all of Pagosa Springs; and three brothers including Joe Aragon of Ignacio.
Cremation has occurred. A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The Rev. Joseph L. Gallegos will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Leukemia Society of America Inc., Western Colorado Bank Depository, United States Bank of Grand Junction, Grand Junction, CO 81501.
John 'Jay' V. Bell
He moved to Durango because he loved hunting and camping. John "Jay" V. Bell, 49, died on Sunday, Sept.12, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Mr. Bell was born on June 10, 1955, in Madison, Ind. After graduating from high school, he spent seven years in the U.S. Army. At the time of his honorable discharge, he was a sergeant with B Company 166th Armor, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.
During the past 15 years, he had worked at Morehart Chevrolet Subaru in the service department.
"He was very interesting and creative," said his wife, Rhoda Montoya, who had been with him for 20 years.
Mr. Bell is survived by his wife, Rhoda Montoya of Durango; son Jason Bell of Louisville, Ky.; father Howard Bell of Madison; and sister Pam Glaspie of Durango.
Cremation has occurred and private services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Mercy, 3801 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301.
Willard 'Will' Price Sr.
Willard "Will" Price Sr., a traditional Ute dancer who lived all his life in Ignacio, died Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, at his home in Ignacio. He was 56.
Mr. Price was born on April 4, 1948, in Ignacio, the son of Burton and Margaret Price. He was adopted while in third grade by Gerald and Dorothy Cox. He lived his entire life in Ignacio.
He married Glenda Price in Durango on March 16, 1966.
Mr. Price served in the Army Reserves.
Mr. Price enjoyed racing stock cars. He survived a motorcycle accident in 2000, and made a full recovery. He still enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson. Mr. Price also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
"He enjoyed his family and encouraged his grandchildren to finish what they started and never quit," said his wife.
He is survived by his wife, Glenda, of Ignacio; his sons Willard Price Jr., of Towaoc, Ronald Price, of Ignacio, and Toby Price, of Rapid City, S.D.; his daughters Wilinda Goodtracks, of Ignacio, and Wilandra Price, of Ignacio; his sisters Roberta Garcia, of Albuquerque, and Ruth Valdez, of Albuquerque; 20 grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A rosary will be said at 6 p.m. today at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Ignacio. A wake will be held after the rosary at the Price home, 212 Howe Drive, in Ignacio. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Ignatius. The Monsignor Daniel Huber will officiate. Burial will follow at Ignacio West Cemetery.
Fitzhugh Thomas Havens
Fitzhugh Thomas Havens, who lived 88 years in Chromo, died Sept. 10, 2004, in Chromo.
Mr. Havens was born on Aug. 13, 1916, in Hollywood, Calif. He attended schools in Chromo and Pagosa Springs.
He married Margaret Young in September 1936. In 1944, the family moved to their permanent home in Chromo, where Mr. Havens served as postmaster. Mr. and Mrs. Young also ran Chromo Mercantile. The Havens five children also helped run the family business. Mr. Havens retired in 1990, but he continued to oversee the financial operations of the family business.
His favorite hours were spent gardening. He made sure, weather permitting, that plenty of flowers were growing.
Mr. Havens was elected to the Archuleta County School Board for two terms. He frequently wrote letters to the editor to thePagosa SunandThe Denver Post.
He served in almost every office for the Pagosa I.O.O.F Lodge, most recently serving as secretary.
Mr. Havens was preceded in death by a son, Walter Havens, and a daughter, Jo Ann Bamrick.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret, of Chromo; his sons Fitzhugh Havens Jr., of Soledad, Calif., and Harry "Andy" Havens, of Pagosa Springs; his daughter Kay Wagner, of Spokane, Wash.; 10 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Pagosa Springs Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis St. A private internment will be held.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the I.O.O.F. 122, P.O. Box 88, Chromo CO, 81128. Donations will be distributed among the various I.O.O.F. charities.
Donald Wilson Ramsay
Donald Wilson Ramsay, 81, died at his home in Garden Grove, Calif., on Aug. 31, 2004. The cause of death is unknown.
He was born on July 25, 1923, to Lucy Garber Ramsay and Elmer Ramsay in Grand Junction.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945 with Battery A, 96th Antiaircraft Gun Battalion. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
After being discharged from the Army, he contracted polio, which left his right arm and leg partially paralyzed. Despite those disabilities, he was able to earn a living and live on his own for nearly 60 years. He drove a taxi in Los Angeles for many years, and later became a truck driver.
Mr. Ramsay was an avid Anaheim Angels fan and loved to read and tend his roses. If he had been able, he would have traveled often. He did travel to Scotland and England, and he went on a cruise to Alaska with his sister and brother-in-law.
Mr. Ramsay is survived by his sister Helen Trembly of Durango; niece Donna McConnell of Durango; nephews Darrel Trembly of Durango and Larry Trembly of Cortez; seven great-nieces and nephews; and seven great-great nieces and nephews.
His body was donated to the University of California-Irvine, as he wished. No services are planned at this time.
