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Obituary for TRAUX


Published in the Albuquerque Journal on Sunday November 04, 2012

TRAUX, ANNE THORSEN The family of Anne Thorsen Truax records with sorrow the passing of our matriarch at the age of 87 on October 31, 2012 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Anne lived her long life with vigor, joy, and as a fierce fighter for justice. Her most important support came from her family, friends and feminism. The possessor of an active but roaming intelligence, she had multiple interests: classical music, biology, words, gardening, her brother's medical books, crossword puzzles and reading. After college and graduate school in anthropology, she worked at the University of Minnesota, where she served as the Director of the Minnesota Women's Center, directing a program assisting women to find their way back to the working world. Later she was active in founding the Women's Studies department and the Center for Advanced Feminist Studies, and ended her years at Minnesota as the sexual harassment officer for the Office of Equal Opportunity. Her most cherished survivor is her partner of 36 years, Judith Wanhala, without whom she would never have had such a loving, satisfying, mutually beneficial and content life. Judy and Anne moved to Albuquerque in 2001 and delighted in the high desert life. Anne is also survived by her five sons, Tom (Rebecca Pavlenko), David, Steve (Penny), John (Diana Lewis), and Rick -all fine men, good citizens and excellent cooks. They gifted her with above average and merry grandchildren: Colby Mattson (Nicki), Sam Truax (Karen), Helen, Martha, Peter and Maggie Truax. Cedar and Linden Mattson, and Henry Truax represent the fourth generation. She is also survived by ten nieces and nephews, the children of her deceased brother, David Thorsen and her deceased sister, Jane Westley, and by many friends. A private service will be held; a public memorial service will be held at a later date.


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