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A wise, strong, and spirited women is gone. Lois Lucie Curnutte Waskon Enfield Yeaman, 97, died November 11, 1999 in Santa Fe. Lucie was born May 12, 1902 in Snyder, Texas to Robert H. Curnutte and Mollie Banks Thomas. Lucie's life spanned nearly the entire 20th century-from the presidencies of Teddy Roosevelt through that of Bill Clinton. Her first memories were of an America, where automobiles were rare, radios unknown, and oil lamps common. Lucie began working in her father's banks as a teenager and still as a teenager she read all of The World's Greatest Literature (a set of books owned by her father). She joined her mother in fighting for women's suffrage, launching a lifetime of free-thinking independence and multiple careers and continued to be a voracious reader all her life. She lived in West Texas until her early twenties and was married briefly to Ben Waskon of Snyder. In 1926, she relocated to Hollywood, California and married Harold Enfield. During the 1930s and early 40s, Lucie operated a summer camp for girls at Big Bear Lake, California. During World War II she closed the camp and became an assistant manager of a Marine Corps officer's club near Fort Worth, Texas. After the war she ran a flower shop in Snyder before marrying Jack Yeaman in 1950, and moving to Laredo, Texas. In Laredo, Lucie managed a public relations firm and was one of the key figures in reviving the Washington's Birthday Celebration. In 1962, she bought an apple orchard and built a beautiful home in San Patricio, New Mexico and renamed it La Finca"The Farm." During the next 12 years, her children and grandchildren spent many happy times visiting Lucie at her comfortable home along the beautiful Rio Ruidoso. Lucie's parties were renowned with the Hondo valley residents. She moved to Santa Fe in 1974, where she was one of the first residents of El Castillo Retirement Residence. Her love of gardening led to the development of the West Building Rose Garden. The El Castillo Library benefited from her love of books in donations and time. Lucie was an accomplished storyteller, needlepoint artist, bridge player, and businesswoman, and the much-loved matriarch of a large close family, whose members will miss her sharp wit, twinkling eyes, and generous heart. She is survived by a son and his wife, Robert and Kay Enfield; and daughter, Mollie Seymour, both of Santa Fe; a sister, Mary Mahler and her husband, Don Mahler of Arcata, CA; eight grandchildren, (Lisa Enfield of Albuquerque, Eric and his wife, Marty Enfield of Santa Fe, Stuart Enfield of Santa Fe, Mike Seymour of Morgan Hill, CA, Mark Seymour of Santa Cruz, CA, Ann Muriel and her husband, Mike Chappell of Calgary, Alberta, Megan and her husband, Bob Vega of Omaha, NE, and Luci Kelly and Bil Brothers of Austin, TX; daughter-in-law, Mona Coffield; 13 great-grandchildren, including Ethan Enfield Sklar and Ariel Enfield Sklar of Albuquerque; four great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews, including Richard Mahler of Santa Fe. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Susan Adams. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 13, 1999 at 1:30 p.m. in the Community Room of El Castillo Retirement Residence in Santa Fe. Santa Fe Funeral Options 417 E. Rodeo Rd. 989-7032
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