Obituaries for Dec. 18, 2014

Charlotte Tsoi Goodluck

PORTLAND, Ore. — A memorial service for Charlotte Tsoi Goodluck, 68, of Portland, Ore., will be held Friday, Dec. 19, at 2 p.m. at the Beacon Unitarian Universalist Church (510 N. Leroux St.) in Flagstaff. A graveside service will follow Saturday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. at the Goodluck residence (one mile north of I-40 on Route 12) in Lupton, Ariz., with a memorial reception (potluck) afterward at Tse Si Ani (Lupton) Chapter House.

Charlotte was born Oct. 14, 1946, in Fort Defiance, into Bilagaana (Anglo), born for Dibélzhini (Black Sheep Clan). She passed away Dec. 3, 2014, from natural causes.

Charlotte graduated from Window Rock High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Prescott College in Prescott, Ariz., a master’s degree from Smith College in Northampton, Mass., and Ph.D. in social work from the University of Denver in 1998.

Charlotte began her career as a social worker at Jewish Family Services in 1973 in Phoenix and was project director of a program that placed Native children with Native families before the enactment of the Indian Child Welfare Act. She was a social worker educator from 1987 to 2014, beginning her academic career at Northern Arizona University where she worked for more than 20 years, and concluded her appointment there as a full professor emeritus.

Following this, Charlotte was instrumental in starting the bachelor’s program at Portland State University and during the last seven years served as full professor and its founding program director, successfully navigating the program through its CSWE Accreditation processes. She was a board member for the Council on Social Work Education, a national accreditation organizational for all schools of social work, and was a board member on several Native American organizations. She conducted training on the Indian Child Welfare Act and other areas of Native American child and family services.

Charlotte was a researcher on many topics: Native children’s well-being indicators, Native strengths perspectives, sustainability, Native cancer, adoption, foster care, lifelong learning in social work, and many other topics. She was a member of the National Association of Social Workers, BSW Program Directors Association, Council on Social Work Education and the American Indian Social Work Educators Association.

Charlotte exemplified a lifetime dedication to social justice, healing and the well-being of all communities, especially indigenous people. She was a strong promoter of alternative ways of knowing indigenous pedagogy and theory. She was an enthusiastic and determined “opener of doors” of encouragement and opportunity for both her students and her colleagues. Her gentleness, sense of humor and steadiness in the face of challenges was especially admired and appreciated. Her greatest legacy will remain the thousands of students that she taught in her lifetime and their continuing efforts to practice ethical, culturally responsible and impactful social work.

Charlotte had family and friends throughout the United States and traveled frequently. She loved Flagstaff, and lived and visited there often. She loved to travel internationally as well, and had visited China three times, throughout Europe (with special affection for Paris), Mexico, Canada, Turkey, Vietnam and many other places. She was an avid reader, enjoyed theater (both in live form and in cinema), engaged in photography and other art forms, and walking. She had a special fondness for dogs and cats — none of which were ever a stranger to her. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her well. As she said to everyone, “Walk in Beauty.” Our prayer now for you.

Charlotte is survived by her sister, Lesley N. Goodluck; niece, Natalie P. Locust of Lakewood, Colo.; and numerous cousins and relatives on the Navajo Reservation.

Charlotte is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Tsoi Goodluck of Lupton, and Leslie Elizabeth Snow Goodluck, originally of Wyoming.

A celebration of life will take place Saturday, Jan. 10, at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church (1034 SW 13th Ave.) in Portland.

In lieu of flowers, academic scholarships will be established in Charlotte’s memory. Please contact Laura Nissen at nissen@pdx.edu for additional information.

Dennison Charley Sr.

CHINLE — Funeral services for Dennison Charley Sr., 64, of Chinle, were held Dec. 17 at the Potter’s House Church in Chinle, with Pastor Artie Aragon officiating. Interment followed in Chinle.

Dennison was born Feb. 21, 1950, in Chinle, into the Tó’áhani (Near the Water Clan), born for Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan).

Dennison was employed with Peabody Coal Mine in Black Mesa, Ariz. He enjoyed working outside, helping others, working on vehicles, and loved to listen to music.

Dennison is survived by his son, Dennison Charley Jr.; daughters, Ophelia Ann Charley and Anita Marie Charley; mother, Anita Charley; brother, Wilson Charley; and sisters, Juanita Begay and Sara Woody.

Dennison is preceded in death by his father, John Charley.

Pallbearers were Martin Begay, Gerald Begay, Dallas Begay, Marvin Hoskie, Isaac Mitchell, and Joseph Begay.

Tse Bonito Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Julia John

NASCHITTI, N.M. — Funeral services for Julia John, 74, were held Dec. 13 at the St. Anthony Catholic Church in Naschitti, N.M., with Father Don Billiard officiating. Interment and a reception followed in Naschitti.

Julia was born April 15, 1940, in Naschitti, into the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). She died Dec. 9, 2014, in Farmington.

Julia attended Intermountain School in Brigham, Utah, and completed the eighth grade and a vocational program. She returned to the Navajo Reservation and worked for the Bureau of Indian Education as a food service worker at Teec Nos Pos Boarding School. She retired after 31 years of service. Upon retiring, she returned to her homeland in Naschitti. She was a homemaker and her hobbies included pottery, quilting, crocheting, puzzles, crosswords, caring for her livestock, and farming.

Julia was a prayer warrior and a member of the Native American Church of New Mexico-Naschitti Charter. She was an outgoing community member, offered genuine volunteered services to her family, friends, neighbors, and various organizations.

Julia is survived by her husband, Elbert John; son, Harvey John; daughters, Bernice and Vera John; granddaughter, Zephaniyah Rodriguez; mother, Mary Tsosie; brothers, Kee Tsosie, Wilson Manuelito, and Thomas Manuelito; and sisters, Eileen Scott and Ella Mae Tsosie, all of Naschitti.

Julia is preceded in death by her brother, Edison Tsosie; sister, Sadie Tsosie; stepfather, Wilbert Tsosie; uncles, Ervin and Paul Manuelito; and aunts, Nagebah Tsosie and Angela Manuelito.

Pallbearers were Matthew Scott, Shawn Dawson, Tracey Dawson, Aaron Mariano, Alford Begay, and Rufus Becenti.

Honorary pallbearers were Elbert John, Harvey John, Kee Tsosie, Wilson Manuelito, and Thomas Manuelito.

Desert View Funeral Home was in charge of funeral arrangements.

James Tracy

GANADO, Ariz. — Funeral services for James Tracy, 83, of Nazlini, Ariz., were held Dec. 12 at the All Saints Mission Church in Ganado, Ariz., with Brother Paul O’Brien officiating. Interment and a reception followed in Nazlini.

James was born Sept. 5, 1931, in Nazlini, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Deeshchii’nii (Start of the Red Streak People Clan). He died Dec. 9, 2014, in Chinle.

James attended Intermountain School, a five-year program. He was a rancher and farmer. He enjoyed tending to his cattle and doing fence work. His hobbies included watching western and war movies, playing card games and telling stories. He cherished his time with his family and enjoyed having his grandchildren around him.

James is survived by his wife, Jessie M. Tracy; daughters, Jennie M. Etcitty, Helen M. Leonard, Celia Tracy, and Carol A. Davis; brothers, Robert Tracy, Harrison Tracy and Johnson Tracy; sisters, Ruth Brenner, Minnie Gorman and Marie Gorman; and 24 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

James is preceded in death by Elmer Tracy, Mary Tracy and Nelson Tracy.

Pallbearers were Cecil Etsitty, Tony Etcitty, Matthew Tracy, Kelsey Davis, Karl Manson, and Valdemar Etcitty.

Honorary pallbearers were Cornelius Leonard, Glen D. Begay and Gilbert Smiley.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.