Mary Sweetser, age 88 years, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at Mountain View Medical Center in Las Cruces, NM, surrounded by her loving family. She was born to John Riggs Stark and Goldie Irene Jones Stark on October 8, 1925 in Long Beach, California. She grew up on ranches in southern Arizona. She met her husband, Second Lieutenant Kenneth John Sweetser (Flight Officer, Air Corps, Army of the United States) in Denver, Colorado while she was attending nurses training in Boulder. They were married on May 11, 1946, at the Rafter Diamond Ranch in Whitewater, NM.
She was active in Farm Bureau Women (helped start the Cotton Extravaganza), the Ninety-Nines (women’s flying organization, including participation in the 30th and final Powder Puff Derby), 4-H leadership, Republican Women, Mimbres Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, traveling and golfing, Golden Gossip, Cowbelles, traveling, golfing and playing bridge. She was very proud of her family and had many dear friends.
She is survived by daughter Marilu Duty of Aurora, Colorado; son John Sweetser (Candie) of Deming; daughter Sue Waggoner (James) of Laramie, Wyoming; daughter Mary Hayes of Bloomfield, NM; son Martin Sweetser (Joyce) of Deming; grandchildren Jim Duty (Heidi) of Morrison, Colorado; Ann Duty Barnhill (Paul) of Aurora, Colorado; Ken Sweetser of Springfield, MO; John “JJ” Sweetser (Jen) of Prior Lake, Minnesota; LTJG Ryan Sweetser, pilot, United States Navy (Amber) of Anacortes, Washington; Rob Sweetser (Cherish) of Deming; Brannick and Calleigh Sweetser of Deming; Bill Waggoner (Karri) and John Waggoner (Sherry) of Laramie, Wyoming; Kevin Neville of Aztec, NM; Kelly Neville Heck (Cary) of Laramie, Wyoming; Melissa Neville Salvatore (John) of Manhattan, Kansas; Bryan Simpson (Beth) of Deming; Brenna O’shaughnessy (Bill) of Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania; Casey Sweetser (Lacey) of Ft. Worth, Texas; Nancy Sweetser Meraz (Carlos) of Aurora, Colorado. Great-grandchildren John and Katie Belle Sweetser; Taylor and Ava Sweetser; Robbie and Rebecca Sweetser; Brandon Waggoner; Mackenzie and Jacob Waggoner; Chelsea, Caitlin, Cody, Evan, and Grayce Heck; Morgan Salvatore; Matthew and Rachel Simpson; Ty Parks; Will and Teagan O’shaughnessy; Madilyn, Emmalyn, and Brooklynn Sweetser; Matthew, Preston and Isaac Meraz; Nicholas and Elise Duty; Joshua Barnhill; sisters Connie McCauley of Silver City, NM and Frances Brown Speight of Santa Rosa, NM; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was predeceased by her parents and her husband Kenneth.
Visitation will be at Baca’s Funeral Chapel from 5-7 pm on Friday, December 27. A Celebration of her Life will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Deming (1020 S Granite) at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 28. Rev. Ernie Vineyard, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. View Cemetery (3410 E. Pine) in Deming. Her grandsons will be the pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers family requests that memorial contributions be made in her name to the Cancer Support of Deming and Luna County, P.O. Box 1746, Deming, NM 88031.