Claudia “Jean” Babb

1939-2022

Claudia “Jean” Babb passed away on Aug. 13, 2022. She was 83 years old. She was a long-time resident of Los Lunas.

Jean, as she was known to most everyone, was a loving, devoted mother and a caring, skilled nurse. Jean was born in Walsenburg, Colo., on May 5, 1939.

She graduated from Raton High School and earned her Bachelor’s of Science in nursing from the University of Denver. Following graduation, she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where she served proudly as a USAF nurse until her honorable discharge in 1967.

In 1972, she took on her most cherished role as mother with the birth of her first son. In 1977, her second son was born. Soon after, she and her husband divorced.

She worked incredibly hard to raise both her boys as a single mother while also continuing her career as a nurse in Los Lunas working for the state of New Mexico. She retired from the state in 1996 and continued her career in a variety of nursing roles until 2009.

A two-time breast cancer survivor, Jean was a fighter. She was also a giver. She never stopped looking for ways to provide for her family, friends and community. Her giving spirit was most personified in the various charities for which gave her time and money.

Jean is survived by her sons, Billy and his wife, Rachel, and Ken and his wife, Jade; and her grandchildren Emma, Andy and Katelyn.

She has chosen cremation, and her ashes will be interred at her parents’ gravesite in Trinidad, Colo., later this year.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to UNM Children’s Hospital.

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