Obituaries for April 27, 2023

Alice C. Bitsilly

GALLUP
Funeral services for Alice Casuse Bitsilly, 83, of Coyote Canyon, New Mexico, were held April 25 at the LDS Stake Center in Gallup, with Eldridge Lee officiating. Interment followed at Sunset Memorial in Gallup.

Alice was born Dec. 26, 1939, in Tohatchi, New Mexico, into the Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover Clan), born for Tsenabahiłnii (Sleep Rock People Clan). She passed away April 18, 2023, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Alice attended Intermountain and Phoenix Indian School. She was a silversmith, rug weaver and rancher.

Alice enjoyed song and dances, singing traditional songs, playing bingo, tending to her sheep, and spending time with her family.

Alice is survived by her sons, Nelson McCabe Jr., Donald McCabe and Christopher McCabe; daughters, Lucille McCabe, Lucinda McCabe and Alesia McCabe; sisters, Pauline Spencer, Virginia Casuse Switzer and Julia Casuse Gagnon; and 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Alice is preceded in death by her husband, Tommy Bitsilly; parents, Harry and Emma Becenti Casuse; brothers, Cornelius Casuse, Lewis Casuse, Charlie Casuse, Richard Casuse, Emerson Casuse, and Alton Casuse; and sisters, Louise C. Henry, Ella Mae Upshaw and Mary R. Casuse.

Pallbearers were Cesar Mascorro, Jay McCabe, Jonathan Mascorro, Jeremiah McCabe, Charles Avery, Nathan G. Peters, Dana Jose, and Maurice Upshaw.

Honorary pallbearers were Nelson McCabe Jr., Christopher McCabe, Donald McCabe, Tyson McCabe, Roger Casuse Jr., Max Casuse, Calvin Upshaw, Rodney Gagnon, John Switzer, Mike Switzer, and Karl Switzer.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Elouise T. Begay

BLACK MOUNTAIN, Ariz.

Funeral services for Elouise T. Begay, 67, will be held Saturday, April 29, at 10 a.m., at the Black Mountain Mennonite Mission in Black Mountain, Arizona, with Pastor Daniel Smiley officiating. Burial will follow at the family plot in Pinon, Arizona.

Elouise was born in Ganado, Arizona, into the Naaneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii (Charcoal-Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan), born for Tódích’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She passed away April 20, 2023, in Phoenix.

Elouise lived in Cottonwood, Arizona, where she lived all her life. She attended Chinle Boarding School, Cottonwood Day School, Chinle Junior High, and Chinle High School.
Elouise would greet you eagerly with a “hello, hello” and she took time to listen to people. She was a loving and feisty mother and grandmother. She enjoyed traveling with family and we will remember her as a strong fighter.

Elouise is survived by Earl Begay, Pamelita Johns, Bryan Begay, Laurel Bizahaloni, and nine grandchildren.

Elouise is preceded in death by Peter T. Begay, Susie H. Lee, stepfather Jack Lee, Thomas H. Tsosie, and Johnson Tsosie.

Pallbearers will be Earl Begay, Koda Begay, Tom Tsosie, Tyler Robb, Ben Curley, and Bryan Begay.
The final family gathering will be held today, April 27.

Silver Creek Mortuary will be assisting with the final arrangements.

Dean L. Yazzie

FORT DEFIANCE

Funeral services for Dean Lee Yazzie, 58, of Phoenix, were held April 24 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Fort Defiance. Interment followed at a family plot.

Dean was born into the Tódík’ózhí (Salt Water Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). His nalí is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People); cheii is Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover). He passed away April 20, 2023.

Dean grew up in Fort Defiance and graduated from Window Rock High School in 1982. He learned to play the guitar at an early age and played in the high school band and formed a rock band called “Spade”. Two of the original songs “Rock Me, Love Me,” and “Searching for Love,” can be found on YouTube.

Dean graduated from Al Collins Graphic Design School with an associate’s degree in 2000 and worked at Arizona State University as a technical analyst, a job he held for 22 years until his cancer prevented him from working.

Dean played with Native rock band Clan/Destine, Artificial Red with Randy Kemp, guitarist Gabriel Alaya, Keith Secola, and shared the stage with comedy duo, James and Ernie, and Japanese drummer, Ken Koshio.

Two years ago, Dean underwent surgery for a stroke in his head. Doctors had to open his skull to relieve the pressure on his brain and later placed a plate to cover the incision. He began to improve from the stroke, but at a routine exam doctors found cancer in his colon. He underwent chemotherapy and was told the treatment was working and that he was in remission. A few months later, the cancer returned and had spread rapidly throughout his back and spine. He remained positive and fought the cancer for the past 18 months.

Dean was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was always giving of himself, ready to help.

Dean is survived by his wife of 28 years, Thyrza (Morgan) Yazzie; daughter, Demetria Yazzie Smith; son Deshawn Yazzie; siblings, David Yazzie, Wayne Yazzie, Don Yazzie, and Melvin Anderson; and two granddaughters.

Dean is preceded in death by his father, Phillip L. Yazzie; mother, Doris Yazzie; brother, Phillip Yazzie Jr.; and sister, Fannie Yazzie.

To make a donation, visit gofundme.com under Dean Yazzie or by using the Zelle app to 480-695-5976.

Donations can also be sent by mail to: Thyrza Yazzie, 13220 S. 48th Street, Apt. 1055, Phoenix, AZ 85044.

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