MAYER, JOHANNES Age 53, of Albuquerque, died during the evening of March 29, 2013 at his home. He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 23, 1960, and later raised in Laramie, Wyoming and Annville, Pennsylvania. He worked as a telecommunications specialist, a programmer analyst, and as an applied mathematician. His education included a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania awarded in 1981, and two years of graduate studies in mathematics at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa completed in 1983. He is survived by his son Alexander of Erie, Pennsylvania; daughter Tatiana Spencer of Niles, Ohio; brothers Fred Mayer of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Mark Mayer of Brattleboro, Vermont; his sister Agnes Mikijaniec of Brattleboro, Vermont; and his step-mother Heidrun Mayer of Brattleboro, Vermont. A private family memorial will be held this spring. Johannes, always called Hans by those he knew, had a brilliant mind and was widely admired for his ability to rapidly solve highly technical problems in a variety of domains. As a child he thrashed his brothers in countless games of chess. He was also a gifted astronomer, and recently fell in love with the glorious, star-strewn skies above Taos, New Mexico. During recent months he gave a sublime gift to his older brother by conveying the conceptual geometry required to build software capable of calculating sky coordinates of our Sun's yearly analemma for observers located anywhere on Earth. He suffered many hard setbacks during his life including the loss of his ex-wife, mother, and younger brother Nicholas. His own personal struggles lasted for many years and ultimately led to his untimely passing. His suffering has ended. May he rest in peace forever.
SAIZ-MIRABAL, TOMASITA Age 88, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2013 at Las Palomas Nursing Home with family at her side. Tomasita was born in San Acacia, NM on September 22, 1924 to the late Pilar and Brigida Saiz. She attended school in San Acacia and high school in Socorro, NM. The family moved to Albuquerque where she started working as an elevator operator at the old Franciscan Hotel. She also worked for Fred Harvey for many years. She retired from food service at Kirtland AFB. She married Dan Mirabal in 1986. During their time together they enjoyed dancing at the senior centers and spoiling their nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Dan; brother and sister-in-law, Victor and Elizabeth Saiz; sister, Christine Merlinda Martinez; brother-in-laws, Panfilo Sanchez, Joe Florez and Flavio Sanchez. Tomasita is survived by her brother, Luis and wife Ramona Saiz; sisters, Mary Ann Sanchez, Marcella Florez and Novie Sanchez; brother-in-law, Leo Martinez and by many loving nieces, nephews and godchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her. A Rosary will be recited on Monday, April 22, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at Risen Savior Catholic Church, 7701 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 a.m. also at Risen Savior. Interment to follow at San Acacia Cemetery in San Acacia, NM. To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.com Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 505-821-0010
RIOS, LIANDRA H. was born on March 13, 1921 and died on February 3, 2013. On Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 6:30 pm, the family will be honoring Liandra with a non-traditional service at Prince of Peace Catholic Church at 12500 Carmel Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122.
PORTZ, BARBARA JUNE Age 80, departed this life on April 13, 2013. She was born in Ann Arbor, MI, daughter of George D. and June (Hoagland) Ward. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Alex T. Portz; three children, Linda Wirth, Mark Wirth and Ward Wirth; four grandchildren, Sandra Madden, Jill Chou, Steven Wirth and Wendy Rose Wirth; sister-in-law Hilda (Mast) Ward; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. After graduating from Ann Arbor High School she married Jack Wirth with whom she spent one and a half years at a US Army base in Liverpool, England. They later founded the Wirth Canoe Livery in Ann Arbor. After divorce and remarriage she nursed her eldest son, William, through his fatal bone cancer. This inspired her to obtain an RN degree and work in hospitals or nursing homes in West Virginia and Florida. For many years she enjoyed making pottery and weaving. She managed the Arts and Crafts Shop in Elkins, WV until 1987 when Alex retired and they moved to Florida to care for her aged parents. In 1998 Alex and Barbara moved to the Magdalena Mountains in NM where they both did volunteer work until health problems dictated moving in 2007 closer to medical services in Albuquerque. Barbara requested that there be no local memorial service. Memorials may be sent to the New Life Presbyterian Church, 5440 Eubank Blvd. NE, Alb, NM 87111. A celebration of live service will be held at a later date in Ann Arbor.
LUNA, GLORIA age 73, a resident of Albuquerque, born March 8, 1940, passed away on April 17, 2013. Mrs. Luna is survived by her brother, Orlando Barros; sisters, Olivia Gutierrez and husband, Andy, Patricia Hill, Yvonne Ramirez, Maria Puga and husband, Tom; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Mrs. Luna was preceded in death by her husband, Deacon J.O. Luna; sons, Desidero and Joseph Luna; parents, Faustino, and Carmen Barros. Visitation will be Sunday, April 21, 2013 from 1:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the Gabaldon Memorial Chapel with a Rosary to be recited at 2:00 p.m. by David Gomez. Final visitation will be Monday, April 22, 2013 from 8:45 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church 5415 Fortuna Rd. NW with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. Father Bob Campbell, presider. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers will be, David Gomez, David Sanchez, Don Gutierrez, Ron Gutierrez, Michael Gurule, Chris Gutierrez. Honorary Pallbearers will be George Ramirez, Rick Hill and Robert Barros. Please visit 
KERSTIENS, ERICA LEE Erica passed away on April 12, 2013, after a short and courageous fight with cancer. She was born on November 12, 1973, in Chicago Heights, Ill and was raised in Los Alamos, NM. She graduated from Los Alamos High School and attended New Mexico State University. She loved animals and worked in veterinary clinics in New Mexico and Virginia. Her last job was as a Project Specialist at the DOE National Training Center on Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque. She was preceded in death by paternal grandparents Frank and Marjorie Kerstiens, maternal grandfather Robert Oehlkers, and step-brother Jonathan (Jon) Garcia. She is survived by children Kylee (6) and Gavin (3); mother Debora Kerstiens; father and step-mother Lyle and Teresa Kerstiens; brother and sister-in-law Eron and Teri Kerstiens; step-sister Jennifer Garcia; sister-in-law Michelle Garcia; maternal grandmother Vivian Oehlkers; and her dog and numerous cats. She is also survived by the father of her children, James Elwell; as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many close and dear friends. Her children were the love of her life and she was a terrific mother. Erica will always be remembered for her love of animals including dogs, cats, ferrets, and hamsters. She was constantly taking in a dog or a cat that needed a home or to be fostered. Her wishes were to be cremated with burial in Los Alamos. A celebration of her life will be scheduled at a later date. Donations can be made to the Erica Kerstiens Medical Fund at any Los Alamos National Bank branch or to the Valencia County Animal Shelter in her name. The family of Erica Lee Kerstiens have entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477 or 
GORMAN, BOB Many people strive to, "make a difference." It is such a common idea it is a fundamental story line in books, plays, operas, and movies. On April 15th, at the age of 77, Robert Harold Gorman died. Born in Weehawken, NJ on December 31st 1935, he made a difference. A self-educated certified engineer in the fields of electronic, mechanical, chemical and robotic engineering Robert Gorman is listed as inventor on at least 11 patents ranging from robotics to weapons detection systems, self-illuminating shower heads and roller coasters. A US Marine, a SCUBA diver, a published photographer when it meant something, a pilot of 120+MPH RC planes, a lover of art and life he communicated openly and freely with everyone and anyone wherever his motorcycle rides would take him. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; sons, Robert M. Gorman, Thomas A. Gorman, and Gregory K. Gorman and his wife Phoenix. A Celebration of Life for friends and family will be held at his home on Friday, April 19th at 6;00pm. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Albuquerque Presbyterian Hospice.
BACA, TERESA ANN of Albuquerque, at the age of 60 passed away peacefully on April 12, 2013. She was born on April 3, 1953 to Barbara and Walter Gutierrez. She is survived by daughter Jeniffer; step-son Jimmy; her granddaughter Tiana; great- granddaughter Sophia; her parents Barbara and Walter; sisters, Catherine, Cindy, Gina; and her brother Michael; nephews, Antonio, Jacob and Josh; great- nephews, Julian, Giovanni, and Gage; nieces Andrea, Angela, and Julianna; her sister-in-law Robin; brother-in-law Steve; lots of loving friends and her pets. She was preceded in death by her husband Jimmy and grandma Rose. Services will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church on Monday, April 22, 2013. Rosary is at 10:00 am and the Mass at 10:30am. The family would like to thank The St. Thomas volunteers, Direct Funeral Services and Father Scott for all of there time and care.
WHISENHUNT, JUANITA LEE RODEN Age 80, born on October 9, 1932, in Wichita Falls, Texas, a resident of Albuquerque since 1980, died peacefully Saturday, April 13, 2013 after a prolonged illness. She is survived by her children, William Werner and wife, Renee of Brownwood Lake, Texas, Terri Swift and husband, David Rios of Albuquerque, Karen Otero of Albuquerque, Michael Werner of Gilbert, Arizona, Harold Dean Whisenhunt, Jr., of Albuquerque, and John Whisenhunt and wife, Paula of Albuquerque; nine grandchildren; ten great- grandchildren; brother, Ralph Roden, Jr., and wife, Tammy of Fort Worth, Texas; and sister, Elsa Schneider and husband, Robert, of Lenexa, Kansas. Mrs. Whisenhunt was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Dean Whisenhunt, Sr.; and her father and mother, Ralph and Elsie Roden. Juanita worked as an at-home medical transcriptionist for most of her life, until she retired a few short months ago. Services will be held at on Monday, April 22, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., at FRENCH - Westside and interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Friends may visit FRENCH - Westside on Sunday, April 21, 2013 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Granny, you are loved so much and will be greatly missed until we see you again. Please visit our online guest book for Mrs. Whisenhunt at 
VELEZ, JOSEPH R. Celebration of Life Service will be Friday, April 26, 2013, 1:00 pm at French - Lomas. Private Interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery at a later date. Please visit our online guestbook for Joseph at 
TRUJILLO-TUROWSKI, ELENA LOUISE MERCEDES 12/10/79 4/21/12 One year ago today is the day God took you to be with the angels. Love you forever! Mom, Dad, and Aidan
