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UTSINGER -- Mary Stephenson Utsinger passed away February 26, 2011 from complications of an ongoing illness. Born October 9, 1923 in Las Vegas, NM. Daughter of Mary Maude and J. Bryan Stephenson. She was a lifetime resident of Albuquerque. One of the original students of "The Sandia School" ( now Sandia Prep), she also attended Monte Vista Elementary, Smith College and returned after graduating to do her graduate studies at UNM. While teaching elementary school at Pajarito, and raising two children, she went on to receive a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. She also taught at Armijo and Montezuma Elementary where she was one of the first teachers in Albuquerque to experiment in an open classroom environment. In 1968, she worked for a few years at Southwest Cooperative Educational Laboratories (SWECL) working with the State Department of Education and traveling with he dear friend, Mavis Martin, to South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Alaska and New Mexico where they together formed instructional programs for various Indian Reservations with emphasis on helping children with learning disabilities. Mary met Keith Utsinger at UNM in a photography class then later they were married in 1948 in Paris, France where Keith was stationed. After living in Europe for two plus years, they returned to Albuquerque to reside and start a photography business. After retirement, she did volunteer work for Campfire, the Albuquerque Museum and Friends of the Library. Deeply interested in the art and culture of New Mexico, she also enjoyed nature and animals and was still fly-fishing in the Jemez at age 86. She was an avid gardener and kept the dandelion population at bay during her walks with her dogs! She is survived by her children, Ian Utsinger and Antoinette Utsinger both of Albuquerque. They would like to extend their gratitude to Special Care, Harmony Homecare and Hospice and the entire staff of UNM Hospital and UNM Cancer Center, and all the wonderful support and love given by neighbors and friends who all made the last months of her life bearable through their incredible care, patience, and bits of humor which was appreciated so much. In lieu of flowers, her children ask that you make a donation to the Albuquerque Museum or any of the many animal rescue groups in New Mexico. A Memorial will be held in her honor for close friends and family at a later date.
        Published on: Sun April 24, 2011