Obituaries

MARY ELLEN GANDARA, 90, lifelong resident of Lordsburg passed away Sunday March 1, 2026.

Visitation will be Monday afternoon, March 9, 2026 from 2 to 2:30 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church where the Holy Rosary will begin at 2:30 led by Maria Elena Roybal.  Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 3 o'clock with Fr. Jude Okonkwo, Pastor officiating.  Concluding services and interment will be at Shakespeare Cemetery.

Mary was born May 12, 1935 in Salomon, Arizona to Mike and Ramona Ornelas Medina.  She was mainly a homemaker but did work at the Lordsburg Café and the Hidalgo Hotel for some time.  Mary especially enjoyed embroidery and visiting with family and friends.

She is survived by her daughters, Melsina Reyes (Jerry) of Las Vegas, Nevada, Becky Cabrera (Alan Strain) of Lordsburg; grandchildren, Anthony and Nicole (Alfred); great grandchildren, Regina, Renee, Alex, Noah, Alicia, and Maya.  Mary was preceded in death by her husband Alejandro P. Gandara; sisters Celia, Cruz and Herminia and brothers, Rosalio, Pascual and Arnoldo.

Miguel Lopez Garcia passed away on February 24th after a courageous 1 1/2-year battle with cancer.  He faced his illness with strength and quiet resilience, surrounded by the love of those who meant the most to him.

Miguel was born January 15, 1966 in Silver City, NM to Joe M. and Maria Elena Garcia.  He graduated from Cobre High School in 1984.  He moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1994 where he was employed by Empire Title Agency as their Branch Manager and Escrow Officer. His life- long companion, Julianne Johnston accompanied him and there they raised 3 boys, Michael Johnston, Christopher Garcia and Joseph Garcia.  They welcomed 2 grandchildren, Dallin Thomas Johnston, Ellie Julianne Johnston.

Miguel was a devoted family man who found his greatest joy in spending time with his loved ones.  Whether it was a simple family dinner or a lively celebration.  He was often the heart of the gathering.  He had a natural gift for opening his home, and making sure everyone felt included.  No-one ever felt like a stranger for long in Miguel's presence; his warmth and easy hospitality made new comers feel instantly welcomed.

Brittany Hathaway, age 36, passed away on January 22, 2026. She was born on November 22, 1989, and brought light, love, and strength into the lives of everyone who knew her.

Brittany was a devoted mother, a beloved daughter, sister, and friend. Her greatest joy in life was her children, whom she loved fiercely and unconditionally. She had a warm heart, a vibrant spirit, and a presence that made people feel seen and cared for. Brittany was known for her kindness, her resilience, and her ability to love deeply even through life's challenges.

She is survived by her children, Bentley and Brooke McCauley along with many other family members and friends who will forever cherish her memory. She was preceded in death by her father Dave Hathaway and Grandmother Joanne Kopren.

Brittany's legacy lives on through her children and the countless lives she touched. She will be remembered for her compassion, her strength, and the love she gave so freely.

A service to honor Brittany's life will be held Saturday March 7, 2026 at 11am at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Cliff, New Mexico.

Helen Tucker, 79, a resident of Hurley, NM, entered eternal rest, Friday, February 27, 2026, at her residence surrounded by her loved ones. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

Millie (McGee) Gromatzky

(1945–2026)

Millie Gromatzky, a beloved mother, sister, and wife, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026, in Silver City, New Mexico, at the age of 80.

Born on June 17, 1945, in Alamosa, Colorado, Millie was the daughter of the late Lite Ogden "Jack" McGee and Claudia Grace (Pentek) McGee. She grew up in a vibrant, bustling household as one of ten children. Her early years were spent in the scenic landscapes of Colorado, including Otero and La Junta, where she began building the foundations of a life defined by family and resilience.  Her entire family moved to Belen, New Mexico in 1961 following her father's job with AT&SF where she graduated from Belen High School.

In her adult life, Millie met her husband of 54 years, Paul Arthur Gromatzky Jr, in Belen and this union was blessed with two sons, Jonathan & Jeffrey Gromatzky. This family travelled extensively living in Arizona, Virginia, Mexico City, England, Germany, and Siera Leone, Africa before Paul & Millie retired to Deming, NM.

An obituary is not available at this time for Trisha Elizabeth Villegas Garrison. We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our Tribute Wall.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Trisha Elizabeth Villegas Garrison, please visit our floral store.

James "Darrel" Monger, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026 at Fort Bayard, New Mexico at the age of 80.

Born on August 23, 1945 in Kansas City, Missouri, Darrel was the eldest son of Viere Stacy and Dorothy Verlin Monger.  He had two sisters, Nanalou (Nan) Seal and Verl Taylor, and one brother, Stanley Monger.  A proud veteran, Darrel served in the United States Navy.  Darrel was known for his independence and as a loving and steadfast companion to his family and friends.

Darrel was avid outdoorsman with a passion for fishing and ranching.  Known locally as the "Culligan Man", he enjoyed spending time with his community at the Grinder Mill in Silver City.  Additionally, he was a skilled craftsman and woodworker.

Darrel is survived by his wife of 59 years and four months, Gail Monger; his daughter, Beth Edwards and her husband, Ken; his son, Wayne Monger and his wife Marisa; grandchildren, Joey, Branden, Kendra, Amanda, and Sara; and great-grandchildren, Jakob, Kylia, Keigan, Charlotte, Liam, Damian and Cole.  Darrel was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Stanley; his granddaughter, Krystal, and his grandson, Kristopher.

Roger William Skaggs, longtime resident of Glenwood, New Mexico died on February 11, 2026 in El Paso, Texas. 

Roger was born in Frankfort, Kentucky on November 13, 1951 to William Leonard Skaggs and Rosalyn Adele (Alfs) Skaggs.  After losing his father in 1964, Roger and his siblings were raised in Carbondale, Illinois by the hero of his life, his single mom. 

Roger's passion for adventure and the natural world started early with snake catching and spelunking misadventures in the wilds of Southern Illinois and the Missouri Ozarks.  Years of canoeing, mountain climbing, train hopping, and hitchhiking eventually took Roger to The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington where he met his partner in life, Katie, in ornithology class.  After conducting bird studies in Mexico and across the West, Roger and Katie found themselves in Glenwood, New Mexico glassing peregrine falcons and decided to wed and make a life for themselves on the edge of the rugged Gila Wilderness.  Eventually, Roger took a teaching job at Reserve High School and shared his knowledge with Science and Math students for over 20 years.  Roger was a talented musician and loved playing guitar, mandolin, banjo, and harmonica with friends and family at square dances, in a bar, in a classroom, or just in the living room.