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UTTER, MONNA VIRGINIA Monna, a resident of Albuquerque since 1948, died at home on September 4, 2014. She was 91. She is survived by her two children, Barbara Adkins of Albuquerque and Michael Utter (Kaylie) of Bozeman, Montana; five grandchildren, Sarah Brucker (Ryan), Rachel Adkins (Kurt Kasinoff), Uriel Utter, Jay Utter, Aurora Leichner (Tredec); three great-grandchildren, Lillian, Liam and Mark; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Calvin and Gene Dick, two husbands, Robert Stuart Maclagan who died in Burma in 1944, and Robert Utter who died in at home in Albuquerque in 2005. She was born at home in Entiat, Washington in 1922 and raised in Pomona, California. She returned to college when Stuart was sent to Asia by the Air Force 308th bomb group. In 1944 she graduated from Cal State Santa Barbara and began teaching in Long Beach, California. In 1947 she met and married Air Force Veteran Robert Utter, finishing up his PhD in Psychology at UCLA. In 1948 they moved to Albuquerque where Robert began teaching at UNM. Monna was a violin player and passionate about music all her life. She also loved teaching kindergarten and elementary school, which she did from 1957 to 1982 in the APS system. She was very active in service to the Albuquerque community. She was a member of the Albuquerque committee against discrimination in housing and the NAACP during the 50's and 60's; was active in the league of women voters as a voter registrar; legislative action coordinator for early childhood education standards. She served on the boards of Albuquerque Sister Cities, the Unitarian Church and of La Puerta De Los Ninos day care center. She was active in her precincts in the democratic party, and in the newly formed Albuquerque Teachers Federation. She was honored with United Nations human rights award in the 1960"s, an outstanding teacher of America award in 1972, a YWCA volunteer of the year award in 1988, a human rights bridge award in 1990, and a Governor's outstanding women of New Mexico award and many others. She was also a wonderful mother, grandmother, friend and neighbor. She lived a rich, full, fearless life. The last years of her life were spent caring for her mother, husband and great-grandchild. She was an example to everyone around her. We will always cherish her memory. A memorial service will be held on October 25th at the First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque at 3701 Carlisle Blvd. NE at 3:00pm. Instead of flowers, please put your energy, your heart and your money toward the people in your community.
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