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DURBIN -- Joseph Vernnie Durbin died September 1, 2007, of causes incident to age. He was one of nine children born to Cora Ann Lawyer and William Durbin II in Clayton, NM, on January 30, 1919. Joe was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army during World War II. As a platoon leader, he received a bronze star and various other ribbons for his heroic service in the battles and campaigns of Normandy, France, Ardenner, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He then became a carpenter and lived in Albuquerque and the surrounding area for many years. He is survived by his sister: Emma Michel; and his children: Judi Hunt, Christine Gillespie, Rocky Fails, Joyce Brooks, and Gary Durbin. He was blessed with 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Visitations will be held on Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the mortuary chapel. Burial will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Funeral Services are in the care of: Daniels Family Funeral Services Alameda Mortuary 9420 Fourth St. NW 898-3160
        Published on: Wed September 05, 2007

FIERRO -- Mary A. Fierro, 68, passed away on September 4, 2007. Arrangements are being entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87103 (505) 821-0010
        Published on: Wed September 05, 2007

FITZGERALD -- Archer Pease FitzGerald, of Westfield, MA, passed away on Thursday, August 30, 2007. He was born in New York City on January 9, 1919 and was the son of the late Archer W. FitzGerald and Mary Pease FitzGerald. During his youth, he spent summers, holidays and many weekends in the town of Worthington, MA where his family owned a home and where he developed a love of dairy farming through his wonderful friendship with the late Franklin and Helen Burr. He went through the public school system in New York City and worked for Continental Can Company. He was a World War II veteran and served in the U.S. Marine Corps participating in the historic Normandy Invasion on D-Day, June 6, 1944. After the war, he relocated to Albuquerque, NM where he was married and worked in the city bus business with his father-in-law, the late Joseph Land. He eventually became President and General Manager of the Albuquerque Bus Company from 1955 until 1965. He was a Son of the American Revolution, a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Ballut Abyad Shrine Temple in Albuquerque. He was also a past president of the Albuquerque Rotary Club and served on several boards including the New Mexico Society for Crippled Children and Adults and the Bataan Memorial Methodist Hospital. He was also a charter member of the Four Hills Country Club. In 1966, he moved to Suffield, CT and later to Williamsburg, MA where he operated a successful storm window business for over 30 years. In Williamsburg, he realized his lifelong dream of owning a farm (Maple Crest Farm) where he raised a small herd of cattle, cut hay, cultivated a fine garden and produced excellent maple syrup. He also served on the Finance Committee for the Town Of Williamsburg and was a member of the Worthington Golf Club. He is survived by Dorothy Land FitzGerald, his loving wife of 61 years; a son, Richard of Fremont, CA; and a daughter, Barbara Kearnan and her husband, Robert Kearnan of Marietta, GA. He was a true patriot who adored his country, loved his cows, enjoyed life on his farm and cherished his many warm friends. A Memorial Service will be held in his beloved town of Worthington, at the First Congregational Church on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.. Internment will be at the family burial plot. Donations may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children at 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104, Noble Visiting Nurse and Hospice Services at 77 Mill Street, Westfield, MA 01085 or the charity of one's choice.
        Published on: Wed September 05, 2007

FLORES -- Orlando Rene Flores, 43, expired on Friday, August 31, 2007. Mr. Flores was employed by Blue Cross Blue Shield for many years. He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church and also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife, Dolores; four children, Orlando Rene, Jr. (23), Mary Margaret (7), Sally Rene (5), and Michael Rene (4); his parents, Sam and Mary Flores; nine siblings, Richard, Bobby Ortiz, Dolores Vigil, Bella Aragon, Jimmy Flores, Katherine Flores, Cecilia Flores, Sammy Flores, Teresa Esquivel, Racheal Sanchez, Leo and Alfred Morris; eight aunts; ten uncles; 32 nieces and nephews; and 24 grand-nieces and -nephews; mother-in-law, Sally Gallosa; sister-in-law, Sally Ann Gallosa; brother-in-law, Richard Gallosa; and countless cousins and friends. The Rosary will be recited on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, Lomas and Tennessee. Mass will be held on Thursday, September 6, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven. Pallbearers will be Todd Carr, Resen Messer, Josh Vigil, Charlie Flores, Adrian Armendarez, Johnny Esquivel, and Jose Luis Pena. Honorary Pallbearers will be Mosies Vigil, Rubin Gutierrez, Andy Porras, Jesus Chuy Porras. He was very much loved and will be greatly missed. French Mortuary, Inc. 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500 www.frenchmortuary.com
        Published on: Wed September 05, 2007

FOREMAN -- Gary Foreman, 64, a resident of Albuquerque, died Monday, September 3, 2007. He is survived by his wife, Jeannine Foreman; daughters, Tracy Youngblood, Kristy Foreman, Jacqueline Phillips, and Katherine Phillips; sons, Robert Frye and Jeffrey Frye; eight grandchildren; mother, Agnes Foreman; and sister, Shirley Vallar. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Penny Arnold and Kelly Rogers. Cremation has taken place and Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. at French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd NE. on Wednesday, September 5, 2007. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to the American Cancer Society, 10501 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Suite 300, Albuquerque, 87111, Attn. Lorraine West. French Mortuary, Inc. 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500 www.frenchmortuary.com
        Published on: Wed September 05, 2007

FRANCIS -- Shirlee E. Francis, age 87, passed away on September 1, 2007 in Albuquerque, NM. She was born to Charles and Florence Rock in Wooster, OH on March 12, 1920. Shirlee was a long standing member of Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, she was a loving mother, grandmother and aunt. Shirlee is survived by her daughter, Lisa Wolfe-Vito and husband, Frank of Rio Rancho, NM; three grandchildren, Justin, Jason, and Danielle Wolfe; one brother, Bob Hodge; two sisters, Jean Falvo and husband, John of Canton, OH and Joan Gerber and husband, Russell of Wooster, OH. She is also survived by a special niece, Jerry Teresi; and a special cousin, Joseph Teresi of Albuquerque, NM; and a great-nephew, Jesse Tucker. Shirlee was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Francis. The Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary will be on Thursday, September 6, 2007, 7:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, September 7, 2007, 10:00 a.m., at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 5310 Claremont NE. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400 www.frenchmortuary.com
        Published on: Wed September 05, 2007

FREY -- EUGENE WALTER Lt. Col. (Ret.) USAF, Eugene (Gene) Walter Frey, 75, a resident of Albuquerque since 1976, peacefully passed away on August 26, 2007 and is now in the arms of our Lord. Gene was many things to many people but foremost a man who loved God was dedicated to his wife and family and loyal to his friends. The saying 'he never met a stranger' surely applied as often times he would stop and chat because everyone had a story and a value. Gene had a special wit and was always welcoming of new friends and acquaintances. Gene was born in Canton, Ohio on September 5, 1931. He spent his childhood in Canton and graduated from McKinley High School. He received his Engineering degree at the University of Cincinnati, his BS degree in Meteorology from the University of Chicago and completed his Masters degrees at the University of Michigan. He married Janice Mulheim in 1952 and they enjoyed 55 wonderful years together. Gene proudly served in the United States Air Force as a meteorologist and engineer for 24 years. Following his retirement in 1978, he continued in the engineering field with the University of New Mexico and the City of Albuquerque. Gene is survived by his loving wife, Jan of Albuquerque; son, Mark and daughter-in-law, Nancy of Michigan; grandson, Ben of Georgia, granddaughter, Hannah of Michigan; daughter, Laura of Oklahoma; son, John of Washington D.C.; brother, Denver; sister, Lois; sister-in-law, Joan Rupert; brother-in-law, Don Mulheim and wife, Barb all of Ohio and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins who will forever miss him. Dad, if love could have kept you, you would still be here with us. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a fund established by the family at St Paul's United Methodist Church in honor of Gene. Memorial Services will be held at St Paul's United Methodist Church, 9500 Constitution Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112 on Friday, September 7, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. followed by full military honors at 3:00 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. French Mortuary, Inc. 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500 www.frenchmortuary.com
        Published on: Wed September 05, 2007

GAETA -- Sister Mary Grace Gaeta 1922 - 2007 Felician Franciscan, Sister Mary Grace Gaeta passed away on August 25, 2007, at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Provincial House in Rio Rancho, NM. Born in San Bernardino, CA, she was the daughter of John and Altagracia (Castruita) Gaeta and in baptism was given the name Carmen. The eldest of seven children, she often took on the responsibility for their care. Her primary and secondary education years were spent in Southern California. After her high school years, Carmen worked for ten years helping to support her family, having lost her father shortly after high school. A Franciscan at heart, she became a member of the Third Order Secular of St. Francis on January 8, 1950. On September 8, 1951, Carmen entered the Felician Franciscan Congregation in Chicago, IL. At the investiture ceremonies in 1952, she was given the name Mary Grace, to which she gave special meaning during her entire life as a Felician Sister. In 1953 and 54 she served the community using her gift as a seamstress and tailor. In 1954, she began her teaching ministry which took her to CA, TX, AL and OK, at twelve different locations. With untiring patience and compassion, Sister Grace taught children from kindergarten through fifth grade, often teaching three grades in one classroom. During the 1986-87 school year at Sacred Heart School, in Pomona, CA, she also ministered to her aging mother in neighboring La Verne, CA. After thirty-four years of teaching, in 1988, Sister Grace returned to the provincial house in Rio Rancho to once again minister as a seamstress. In 1992, at the age of seventy, Sister Grace joined Sister Margaret Marie Padilla, to open the first Felician Mission in Ejido Santa Maria in Coahuila, Mexico. The harsh conditions of the area did not prevent her from working to evangelize, visit homes, promote base communities, work to establish justice for women and children and the local coal miner. She also shared her skills in sewing and assisted the women of the area with marketable hand crafts. In 1993 sister made her final return to Rio Rancho where she served as a seamstress and driver. In her spare time she worked on beautifully executed needle point and embroidery projects. She also found time to provide catechetical instruction at San Ysidro Parish in Corrales, NM until 2004, when declining health forced her to curtail her active ministries. In spite of some physical limitations, Sister Grace continued to care for flowers and the wild birds. Daily she would bring bird seed to her feathered friends on the "South Side." Whenever she was unable to feed God's creatures herself, she was sure to find a substitute for this service. This gentle and caring nature was always characteristic of the way Sister Grace lived her life. Gentle by nature, she was always kind, nourished by her deep devotion to the Blessed Mother, especially to the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She also had a very strong devotion to the Holy Family. Sister Grace maintained strong ties with her own family. Her desk top was filled with family photos, mostly of the youngest members, who always brought a smile to her face. She was and will be known for her gentle strength and quiet counsel and for forgiveness and peace making in all her relationships. Sister Grace was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Peter Gaeta. She sis survived by her brothers, John, Joe, Ray, and Jesse Gaeta and her sister, Hope Moreno. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. at the Provincial House Chapel, Rio Rancho. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Albuquerque. Arrangements by Daniels Family Funeral Services 4310 Sara Rd. Rio Rancho, New Mexico 892-9920
        Published on: Wed September 05, 2007

JONES -- Everett Earl "Zeb" Jones of Albuquerque, NM, a 33-year employee of Kerr McGee Corp. and decorated World War II Navy pilot, died August 21, 2007 at a specialty hospital in Norman, OK, of complications from congestive heart failure. He was 84. He will be laid to rest at Veteran's National Cemetery in Santa Fe, N.M., on Sept. 6. at 3 p.m. Everett Jones was born an only child to Zeb Jones and Naomi Hinson Jones in Union County, NC. After graduating high school, he studied geology at Wake Forest University before signing up to fly fighter planes in the Pacific during World War II. He served two years of active duty and later received an honorable discharge from the Naval Reserve in 1956 as a Lieutenant. During his time in the naval reserve, he earned a degree in geological engineering at North Carolina State University and began his career with the Atomic Energy Commission. In 1952, he signed up to work with Kerr McGee Corp. near the Arizona-New Mexico border, piloting planes that mapped mineral deposits in the American West. "It was fun but it was also pretty risky," long-time friend, Phil Ellsworth said of flying 100 feet above the cliffs in rickety propeller planes. "The thing that made it is better was his sense of humor." During a summer assignment in Wyoming, Jones met and married Louise Robinson, a Wyoming native, in 1953. They had three children in Wyoming before moving to New Mexico and later to Arizona to raise the kids. When the children finished high school, Jones moved to Edmond, OK, to work at Kerr McGee's headquarters. An avid golfer, Jones enjoyed every minute spent on the golf course. Upon retiring from the company in 1985, he and his wife retired to an adobe villa on the western mesa of Albuquerque, a chip shot from the fairway of Paradise Hills' golf course. For more than a decade, Jones' grandchildren, their parents in tow, converged in the summer on the Jones home to chase roadrunners across the golf course or tiptoe through the lava-rock lawn. He helped teach his only son and several grandchildren to golf. To his grandchildren, he was always "Papa Zeb." Louise "Weezie" Jones passed away in January 1998, after 45 years of marriage. Jones traveled in 2003 to South America, visiting Brazil, the Falkland Islands and the beaches of Chile. He moved back to Oklahoma in August 2005 to be closer to his eldest daughter. Aside from his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, Zeb Jones and Naomi Hinson Jones; and a grandson, Joseph Jones. He is survived by his three children. Janis Slater, 53, of Norman has two children, Grant and Rebecca. Jo Ann Williams, 51, of Casper, WY, has seven children: Gabriel, Brian, John, Samuel, Jason, Benjamin, and Haley. His son, Robert Everett Jones, 50, lives in Casper as well.
        Published on: Wed September 05, 2007

KEENE -- Maria Enriqueta Wise (Bebe) Keene, 88, resident of Albuquerque for 38 years and native of Laredo, TX, joined the Lord on Saturday, Sep 1, 2007 after a sudden illness. She is survived by her daughters, Sylvia Esquibel and husband, Tony, of Albuquerque, Elvira (Vita) Kelley and husband, Jay, of Albuquerque, and Norma Santos, of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Jose Esquibel and wife, Catherine, David Esquibel and wife, Robyn; Lorey Esquibel; Amanda Buchanan and husband, Gary; Alma Rigby and husband, JB; Barbara Esquibel; Deanna Esquibel; Kathy Kelley-Kubica and husband, Steve; George Santos and wife, Margaret; Robert Santos and wife, Liza; Cynthia Fietek; brother, Jose Canales and wife, Clara; and 16 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jose Alfredo Wise; and ex-husband, Virdel Keene; parents, Maria Enriqueta Hernandez and Manuel Canales; sisters, Guadalupe Canales, Juanita Carpenter; brothers, Leonel Canales and Gilbert Canales. Bebe was born in Realitos, TX. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother and was beloved by all who knew her. Visitations will be at Riverside Funeral Home on Thursday, September 6, 2007 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Graveside Service and interment will be at Cavalry Catholic Cemetery, in Laredo, TX, on September 10, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. RIVERSIDE FUNERAL HOME OF ALBUQUERQUE 225 San Mateo NE 764-9663 riversidefunerals.com
        Published on: Wed September 05, 2007