|
Myrtle Clapper Finley passed away on March 13, 2001, in Albuquerque. She was the beloved wife of George E. Finley Sr., who preceded her in death in 1989. She was a devoted mother, mother-in-law and grandmother to her family. She is survived by her son, George E. Finley Jr. of Fairbanks, AK and his children, Brian, James, Crystal and George III, son, Peter of Austin, TX and his son, Greg, son, Les of Las Cruces and his wife, Connie and their daughters, Renae and Jennifer; daughter, Lisa of Corrales and her husband, Wayland Davis and their son, Matt; son, Patrick of Albuquerque and his wife, Betsy and their daughters, Laura and Katie. A sister, Irene Smith of Ainsworth, NE, also survives her. She is also survived by many great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and friends. We will all miss our"Myrt." She will be remembered for her kindness to people and animals, her love of learning, interest in the arts, delightful sense of humor and green thumb in the garden. Myrtle was born August 25, 1913, to John and Glennie Clapper in Brown County, NE. A member of a large ranching family, Myrtle would ride her favorite horse to her job teaching in a one-room schoolhouse near Ainsworth, NE. She later moved to the Tampa, FL area, where she met her husband, George, who was serving in the US Army Air Corps. After WWII, Myrtle and George moved to Roswell to be near George's family. They raised their children in Roswell, where Myrtle was a substitute teacher and a school librarian. She was active in PTA, March of Dimes, Extension Club, Garden Club and Native Plant Society, and enjoyed flower-show judging, painting, photography, writing and other artistic pursuits. She designed a beautiful poster of New Mexico wildflowers that featured photographs taken by her husband. She was a published poet and newsletter editor. A video of Myrtle reading the English poem"A Crabbit Old Woman" has been shown to nursing home staffs across the United States and has touched the hearts of many caregivers. Myrtle loved music, history and genealogy. She enjoyed her travels to Alaska, Texas, Colorado, Florida, the Bahamas, Canada, England and France. After cremation, Myrtle will be buried beside her husband at the Veterans' National Cemetery in Santa Fe. A Memorial Service for her family and friends will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2001 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Laurel View Healthcare Center, 5900 Forest Hills Drive NE in Albuquerque. Contributions in Myrtle's name may be made to the Respite Care Program of the New Mexico Alzheimer's Association, 1330 San Pedro NE, Suite 205, Albuquerque, NM 87110. The family would like to extend their gratitude for the loving care provided to Myrtle by her home health aide, Patricia Jones. The family would also like to express their appreciation to the staff of Manzano del Sol Nursing Home in Albuquerque, with a special thank you to her wonderful nursing assistants in Memory Lane. Sandia Hospice and the Sunrise Society have also assisted the family with great compassion.
|
