Obituaries

SOFIA Y. CHAVEZ Sunrise May 14, 1972 – Sunset Jan. 4, 2026

Sofia, a current resident of Velarde, NM, went to rest on January 4, 2026. She was born in Española on Mother’s Day, May 14, 1972, to Arlene and Johnny Chavez. Raised on the west side of Española, Sofia graduated from Española Valley High School in 1990 and later attended New Mexico State University, where she became a proud, lifelong Aggie.

Sofia dedicated 27 years of her life to Los Alamos National Laboratory, where she was known for her strong work ethic, dedication, and the meaningful friendships she formed throughout her career. More Read More

MARY LOUISE WILLIAMS Jan. 1, 2026

Mary Louise Williams passed away Jan. 1, 2026, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She was 89. Mary Louise (also known as “Mary Lou”) was a gifted teacher, a lover of history, a solid friend to many, and dedicated to environmental and civil issues. She cared about the “common good” and used that phrase frequently in her writing and conversations.

She grew up in Mountainair, New Mexico, with a businessman father and a mother who had been a one-room schoolhouse teacher (Fred and Mabel Hail). She had an older brother and sister (Wilfred and Jo), and learning was always part of their Read More

CORA ORTEGA May 29, 1938 – Jan. 8, 2026

Cora Ortega passed away in the early morning hours of Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the age of 87 surrounded by family in the Española Valley.

Born in La Madera, New Mexico to Adolfo & Margarita Ortega, she was raised on the family farm in El Rito, New Mexico. In the late 1950s she moved to Española and worked as a celebrated cook for El Paragua, Matilda’s Café, Emilio’s Restaurant, The Chuck Wagon and The Roadrunner Café for 30 years. She loved to be in the kitchen and was happiest when she was cooking for her family.

In the 1980s she began working for the New Mexico Read More

ELKE ELLEN WINKLER Dec. 24, 1943 – Dec. 25, 2025

Elke Ellen Winkler passed away on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, at the age of 82. She will be remembered for her warm, resilient, and curious spirit and her love of animals and the outdoors.

She is survived by her husband of over 52 years, Karl-Heinz, with whom she shared a beautiful and full life. Together, they raised three children, Philipp, Malte, and Julie. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Oliver, Sebastian, Amalie, Chloe, and Felix. She will be missed by her brother, Bernd, and extended family in the United States and Germany. Read More

JoAnn Johnson Dec. 10, 1931 – Jan. 1, 2026

JoAnn Johnson, 94, was born December 10, 1931 in Seymour, IN to Edna and John Garvey. She married James Johnson, her high school sweetheart in 1953. He preceded her in death in 2001. She is survived by two children; Jan Funkhouser (Clay) of Portland OR and Mike Johnson (Thai) of Redondo Beach, CA and two grandchildren Megan and Kevin Funkhouser.

Horses, politics and travel were central to her life.

They got horses shortly after arriving in Los Alamos. She and Jim enjoyed many hours riding their horses on the area’s many trails. She served as President of the Read More

LELAND STANFORD LEHMAN June 16, 1947 – Dec. 11, 2025

Leland Stanford Lehman, 78, of Los Alamos, NM, a proud Army veteran who served in Vietnam, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025.

Leland “Lelo” served as a rifleman with Company B, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division from July 1967 to June 1969, achieving the rank of Sergeant. While in Vietnam, he participated in several campaigns receiving honors to include the Bronze Star with Device for Valor for heroism in the Kien Hoa Province and the Air Combat Medal with Clusters.

Born on June 16, 1947, in Santa Fe, NM, to Charles Read More

MARY ELIZABETH LINDBERG April 2, 1941 – Dec. 25, 2025

“You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.” Mary Elizabeth Lindberg (née Bergerson) died at home in Los Alamos, surrounded by her family on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, following a six-year journey with pancreatic cancer, which she met with her trademark defiance, humor, courage, and indomitable spirit.

Mary did not fit, and never tried to. She was a mother and a wife, yes—but also a contrarian who relished debate and treated disagreement as a form of play (and, often, a form of proof). She traveled. She dreamed. She Read More

FERMIN ROMERO Sr. Dec. 15, 2025

Fermin Romero Sr. 88, of Ojo Caliente, NM, passed away peacefully Dec. 15, 2025, after a lengthy illness.

Fermin is survived by his wife Virginia Romero and five children, Stella, Cathy, Terri, Jeanette, and Fermin Jr. many grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Fermin worked for the Zia Company and Los Alamos National Laboratory for many years, with janitorial services.

He enjoyed his many animals on his ranch and going to the casinos with family. He had a passion for music and singing with many different bands.

He had a magnetic personality and loved socializing. Read More

JOHN WILLIAM BLAYLOCK April 10, 1947 – Dec. 19, 2025

John William Blaylock, 78, went to be with his Savior Dec. 19, 2025, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

John was born April 10, 1947, in Miami, Florida, to Esther and John Blaylock. From an early age, he possessed a deep curiosity about the world that shaped the course of his life. His life was rich with adventure – piloting small planes in the Florida Keys, ocean freediving, shooting BB guns as a child in Washington, operating construction equipment in New York, and several cross-country road trips in a VW Beetle. In all of his pursuits, Read More

MELVENA BAILEY May 14, 1930 – Dec. 6, 2025

Melvena Bailey ended her journey on this earth at 9 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 6. She was 95 years young. Melvena was born and raised in Leesville, LA. She graduated from a nearby high school in 1947, where she participated in basketball and was well liked.

After graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Milton Glenn Bailey, a US Marine sergeant, in July 1947. From that day on they took part in a 78-year adventure that included moving to Los Alamos, having children and working at LANL and LA County. After the birth of her children, Melvena worked as an accountant Read More