Tomas Barela
1925-2002
Tomas Barela, 76, a resident of Albuquerque, died on Friday, April 12.
He is survived by his daughters, Joyce Florez and husband, Raul, of Albu-querque and Annette Medina and husband, Patrick, of Los Lunas; a son, Silviano Garcia of Los Lunas; grandchildren, Andrew, Gabriel, Joseph, Justin, Genell, Mathew, Crystal, Freddie, Nicholas and Jeremy; brothers, Silverio Barela, Amador Barela and wife, Isabelita, Lorenzo Barela and wife, Mary; sisters, Margie Barela, Mena Sandoval and husband, Damacio, Louisa Rudolfo and husband, Valerio, Aurelia Gutierrez and husband, Eloy; and former wife, Vera Barela.
Tomas was a lovable guy who cared for everybody. He was a terrific father and enjoyed spending time with his family. Mr. Barela was an avid hunter and loved the great outdoors of New Mexico.
A rosary was held on Sunday, April 14, at Holy Ghost Church in Albuquerque with Deacon Pat Kneafey reciting. Mass of Christian burial was held on Monday, April 15, at Holy Ghost Church with Father Thomas Mayefske as celebrant. Interment followed at Mount Calvary Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Freddie Garcia, Gabriel Trujillo, Mathew Medina, Emeterio Rudolfo, Johnny Barela and Freddie Otero. Arrangements by Hillcrest Funeral Home in Albuquerque.
Frances Gail Dickson
1925-2002
Frances Gail Dickson went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 23. Frances was born in Eudora, Mo., on Sept. 8, 1925, to Roy and Fern Dodson. She resided in Houston, Texas, at the time of her death.
She is survived by her father, Roy Dodson of Belen; her sister and brother-in-law, Altalee and Kenton Berry of Belen; and three loving children, John Dickson of Houston, Texas, Roy Dickson and his wife, Vicki, of Lincoln, Neb., and Suzanne Simmons and her husband, Larry, of Toronto, Ont., Canada; three grandchildren, Teresa Vardeman, Troy Dickson and Tami Couchoud; and three great-grandchildren, Lauren, Zachary, and Carson. Her sister, Doris Crain, preceded her in death.
Frances was a member of the First Baptist Church of Belen. She dearly loved her Lord, her family, and friends. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 3, at the First Baptist Church of Belen.
Hattie Katherine McNew
1911-2002
Hattie Katherine McNew, 90, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend and longtime resident of Bosque Farms, died on Monday, April 22, in an Albuquerque hospital.
Hattie was born Sept. 12, 1911, in House, N.M., to Henry Norris and Luella Oldham Norris. She was one of nine children raised in LaLande and Fort Sumner, N.M., where she attended school and worked with her parents in the production of the DeBaca Review newspaper. Although she held various jobs throughout her life, her dream was to become a nurse, which would have suited her well, for her life was spent caring for or offering support to friends, neighbors and family.
Hattie had one son, Burl J. Coates; six step-children; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. In June of 1956, Hattie married Robert J. McNew of Bosque Farms, where she resided until shortly before her deaqth. She lived in an original adobe in Bosque Farms on McNew Road, named after her late husband, Bob.
To her family, she was lovingly known as either Nanny or Sugar. Her grandchildren will remember her for her home-baked yeast rolls, walks in the fields picking asparagus, her beautiful yard and garden, picking flower bouquets to surprise their mother with, checker games, card games, her sewing, her ceramics, her dress-up closet, their aches being massaged with “old stinky,” washing dishes with her after her delicious noon meals and visits to the farm. She was a member of Peralta Memorial Methodist Church. The family wishes to offer a special thanks to her dear friend, Janette Baughman, for her loving care.
Services were held at 1 p.m. Monday, May 6, at French Mortuary, University Boulevard Chapel, 1111 University Blvd. NE in Albuquerque, with the Rev. Dave Blackwell and the Rev. Andy Hustad officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul NE.
Pallbearers will be Neal Hale, Terry Maness, Sam King, Tyler King, James Deck and Dan Statler. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Cox, Brian Baughman, Vernon Honeyfield, Butch West, Ronald Stover and Walter Shoemaker. Contribu-tions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 5800 Lomas NE, Albuquerque 87110. French Mortuary, 1111 Univer-sity Blvd. NE, Albuqueque.
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
