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ATSYE -- Agnes "Aggie" Ruth Atsye, 74, loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend born August 24, 1933 in Paguate, NM, and a resident of Albuquerque since 1973, was called home by her Creator unexpectedly on June 16, 2008. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph D. (Dan) Atsye Sr. of 49 years; son, Joseph (Joe) D. Atsye Jr.; and her parents, Joseph P. and Esther L. Martin. She is survived by her daughter, Thelma J. (Puggy) Atsye; sons, Gerald A. (Danny) Atsye and wife Ina, and Everett M. Atsye, all of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Leenkun L. Baca of Durango, CO, Ashley A. Atsye of Pharr, TX, Charles (Charlie) Atsye, Heather R. Atsye, and Jessica L. Atsye of Laguna, NM; Kelly A. Atsye of Albuquerque and Alexandra (Alex) A. Atsye of Isleta, NM; her sisters, (Elizabeth) Jean Martinez and husband, Sigfreido Martinez of Englewood, CO and family and Florence C. (Sissy) Lilly and husband John G. Lilly of Alpine, UT and family; plus a large, extended circle of relations and friends. Oldest of three sisters, Mrs. Atsye lived wither her parents and sisters in the village of Paguate (Pueblo of Laguna), NM where she was known by her relations as "Baby Ruth." She attended the Paguate Day School, and then, due to her father's employment, the family moved to Bluewater, NM, Yuma, and Phoenix, AZ until they finally settled in Barstow, CA in 1942. She attended Ganado Mission Boarding School, Ganado, AZ and graduated from Barstow High School (CA) in 1951. Upon graduation, she traveled and moved to Los Angeles, CA to attend nursing school. She met her future husband, Dan Atsye, through their sisters, and they married in 1953. They moved to Barstow, CA and started a family, eventually having four children. She continued to work as a nurse at Barstow Community Hospital, attended Barstow Community College and successfully completed her LPN requirements and passed her state boards to obtain her nursing license in 1972. In 1973, Mrs. Atsye moved with her family to Albuquerque due to her husband's employment at Kirtland Air Force Base. On April 1, 1974, she began her employment with Indian Health Service (IHS) at the Albuquerque Service Unit where she provided both inpatient and outpatient care. She was recruited for the IHS/Diabetic Program in the mid 80s and worked with the "Sugar Babies" Team until her retirement in September of 2000. Her children cannot remember when she wasn't a nurse. In her 40-plus years a nurse, her dedication, compassion, and the desire to provide quality health care will not be forgotten by her former co-workers or her patients. Her family was her passion. Her unconditional love, support, and encouragement for her daughter, sons, and grandchildren will always be appreciated and never forgotten. She was very involved in all of her children's school and athletic activities, booster club, PTA, Boy and Girl Scouts, Little League in both CA and NM. She enjoyed attending and participating in her grandchildren's activities whenever possible. She loved to travel, visiting her relations near and far, dance, go to the movies, crochet, do her puzzle books, and watch figure skating. She was a member of the Laguna Colony and First Congregational Church in Barstow, CA. In Albuquerque, she was a member of the Laguna Colony and a charter member of Sandia Presbyterian Church. An "open house" and visitation will be held on Friday, June 27, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the family home, 8207 Mosquero Ave. NE, Abq. On Saturday, June 28, 2008 at Sandia Presbyterian Church, 10704 Paseo Del Norte NE, ABQ, a Viewing will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life Service, with Reverend Dewey Johnson presiding. Burial will take place at the Pueblo of Laguna, Old Laguna Cemetery by 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Diabetes Association and/or the American Kidney Foundation. Arrangements by Direct Funeral Services, 2919 4th ST, NW, ABQ, NM. 343-8008
        Published on: Wed June 25, 2008