Obituaries for August 26, 2021

Mary L. Chickway (March 25, 1944 — Aug. 16, 2021)

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Funeral services for Mary Lee Chickway, 77, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, will be held Friday, Aug. 27, at 1 p.m., at The Springs Funeral Service (3115 East Platte Avenue), in Colorado Springs.

Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery (1005 Hancock Expressway) in Colorado Springs. Visitation will take place today, Aug. 26, at The Springs Funeral Service from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Mary was born March 25, 1944, in Monument Valley, Utah. She passed away Aug. 16, 2021, peacefully at home with her family by her side.

Mary was raised in Douglas Mesa, graduating from Intermountain High School in Brigham City, Utah. She moved to Colorado Springs in 1962.

Mary worked as a waitress, and then bartender at Fort Carson for many years. She retired from Goodwill Industries in 2020.

Mary was a beautiful, amazing, strong, caring, loving mother, sister, grandmother, and daughter. She enjoyed puzzles, cooking, making fry bread for family and friends, bingo, watching the Denver Broncos, and most of all, being with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary is survived by her children, William, Clifford, Elvira, Frances, Karen Martin (David Mattson), and Marian Padilla; and siblings, Jonah J. Jones, Lillie V. Dan, Lula Herder, Nellie Harrison, Gloria Begaye, Dara Whatcott, Larry, Robert, and Shirley Jones.

Mary also took care of Kevin (Jessica) Foster when he was a child and called him her son. She also leaves her aunt, uncle, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, 13 grandchildren, and 37 great-grandchildren.

Mary is preceded in death by her father, Drake Jones; mother, Betty Patsy Blackwater; grandson, Dominic Tony Martin; and great-granddaughter, Emma Marie Martin.

Ray A. Chinchillas

GALLUP — Graveside service for Ray Allen Chinchillas, 34, of Prewitt, New Mexico, will be held Friday, Aug. 27, at 10 a.m., at Sunset Memorial Park in Gallup, with Pastor Ned Longhair officiating.

Ray was born May 30, 1987, in Phoenix, into the Tó baazhní’ázhí (Two Who Came To the Water Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). He passed away Aug. 8, 2021, in Phoenix.

Ray graduated high school from Stratford Career Institute in 2006 and was employed as a driller for Stewart Brothers Drilling in Milan, New Mexico.

Ray was a good man who loved to spend time with his three children and being among family and friends. He was a Raiders fan who loved helping others.

Ray is survived by his wife, Candace J. Chinchillas of Grants, New Mexico; sons, Raylaundo R. Chinchillas and Ray Allen Chinchillas II, both of Grants; daughter, Candray E. Chinchillas of Grants; father, Javier Chinchillas of Phoenix; brothers, Davis Gaddy of Prewitt, Eden Chinchillas of Phoenix, and Alex Chinchillas of Phoenix; sisters, Chelsea Begay of Prewitt, Wendy Chinchillas of Phoenix, and Marixsa Chinchillas of Phoenix; grandmother, Rose Gaddy of Prewitt; and grandparents, Rosenda and Petronito Chinchillas of El Zapote de baymena, Choix, Sinaloa.

Ray is preceded in death by his mother, Ellen Chinchillas; uncle, Ernest Gaddy; aunt, Elaine Jones; and grandfather, Harold Gaddy.

Pallbearers will be Danny Gaddy, Davis Gaddy, Elliott Loretto, Raylaundo Chinchillas, Jarvis Russette, Mackenzie Marion, and Marcus Platero.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Allen Chinchillas II, Javier Chinchillas, Larry Gaddy, Alex Chinchillas, Eden Chinchillas, and Aldo Chinchillas.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Jacqueline C. Platero

CHINLE — Funeral service for Jacqueline Caroline Platero, 57, of Many Farms, Arizona, was held Aug. 24 at the Potter’s House in Chinle, with Pastor Artie Aragon officiating.

Jacqueline was born June 28, 1964, in Albuquerque, into the Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). She passed away Aug. 13, 2021, in Albuquerque.

Jacqueline graduated from Many Farms High School in May 1986 and continued her education at Diné College for elementary education. She worked as a court clerk for the Navajo Nation Judicial Branch for 16 years and was recently employed by the Navajo Nation Food Distribution Program delivering food for families in need.

Jacqueline is survived by her sons, Cale Olson and Ty Olson; daughters, Heather Olson, Jennifer Olson, Jayleen Olson, and Kristen Olson; mother, Sadie Tso; sister, Rachelle Wagner; and four grandchildren.

Jacqueline is preceded in death by her father, Donald Tso Sr.; and brother, Donald Tso Jr.

Pallbearers were Cale Olson, Ty Olson, Notah Yazzie, Roshawnald Freeland, Bryan Wagner, and Rodney Begay.

Honorary pallbearer was Jonathan Olson.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Dr. Konstance L. Shirley

LUKACHUKAI, Ariz. — Graveside service for Dr. Konstance Lee Shirley, 48, of Gallup, will be held in Lukachukai, Arizona.

Dr. Shirley was born Jan. 28, 1973, in Fort Defiance. She passed away Aug. 19, 2021, in Gilbert, Arizona.

Dr. Shirley graduated from St. Michael Indian School in 1991 and earned a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness at Arizona State University in 1996. She then attended the Crownpoint Institute of Technology earning a veterinary assistant certificate in 1997.

Dr. Shirley continued her education at New Mexico State University, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, earning a master’s degree in animal science in 1999 and graduating from the Doctor of Philosophy Interdisciplinary Program at NMSU in 2005. She then became a Postdoctoral Fellow at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, from 2005 to 2007.

Dr. Shirley is survived by her mother, Rita Ann Lee; sister, Buffy Shirley; and maternal grandfather, Albert P. Lee.

Dr. Shirley is preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Shirley; nephew, Cooper Johnny; maternal grandmother, Eva N. Lee; and paternal grandparents, Chee A. and Mary A. Begay.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ernie Begay, Rolando Begay and Guy Murphy.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Benjamin Lee Jr.

FARMINGTON — Benjamin Lee Jr., 71, of Upper Fruitland, New Mexico, passed away July 30, 2021, in Farmington. He was born Oct. 5, 1949, in Carson, New Mexico, into the Mą’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan), born for Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover Clan). His maternal grandfather is Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People) and paternal grandfather is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House).

Benjamin worked for Fairchild Semiconductor and BHP Billiton in Fruitland and Waterflow, New Mexico, for 40 years. He worked as an electrician, mechanic and dragline operator until he retired in 2012.

Following retirement, Benjamin enjoyed a paper route with the Daily Times.

Benjamin enjoyed tinkering on cars, going to car shows, and watching movies, the NBA League Pass, and his son, daughter, and grandsons play various sports.

Benjamin is survived by his wife, Shonnie Pioche-Lee; son, Shannon “Yongzer” Lee; daughter, Yiwikai Lee-Thomas; sisters, Arlene Romero, Pearl Cowboy and Darlene Vallo; brothers, Leroy Lee, Albert Lee and Roger Jack; and three grandsons.

Benjamin is preceded in death by his parents, Pauline Polly Lee and Ben Lee Sr.; brothers, Juleson Lee, Daniel Lee and Roy Lee; maternal grandparents, Evelyn and Roy Platero; and paternal grandparents, Mary Ann and Harry Lee.

Services were in the care of Farmington Funeral Home. Interment took place at St. Luke’s Cemetery in Huerfano, New Mexico.

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