Obituaries for August 31, 2023

Ann Tsosie Lee

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Ann Tsosie Lee, 89, will be held Friday, Sept. 1, at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Fort Defiance. She will be laid to rest at the Fort Defiance cemetery.

Ann was born Nov. 5, 1933, at her homesite in Sawmill, Arizona, into the Tó’áhaní (Near the Water Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She peacefully passed away Aug. 27, 2023, in Fort Defiance, surrounded by her loved ones.

Ann was the matriarch of her family and one of the oldest living members of the Sawmill community. She married her husband, Charlie Kee Lee, and gave birth to six children. She was not only a mother to her own family, but a mother and grandmother to countless other children, adopting more throughout the years.

Ann was a woman of great courage, willpower, faith, love, and amazing ability for resilience. She lost her mother at the age of 9 and her father at the age of 13. She was then raised by her brothers and was the only female and last surviving child.

Ann attended Sawmill Day School, St. Michael Indian School, and the Albuquerque Indian School. Finishing her education at 6th grade she then moved to a vocational school in Barstow, California, where she worked as a house cleaner and waitress.

Ann returned to Sawmill in a tale of great perseverance to become a wife, mother to all, sheepherder, and agricultural farmer. She harvested her fields, butchered her sheep to feed countless people, and tied the hair at many kinaaldá. Her legacy continues in those women and children.

Ann is survived by her children, Phillip Wauneka, Nora Lee, Norman Lee, Norbert Lee, and Norma Lee; and 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Nibaah’ and Jim Tsosie; brothers, Sam Tsosie, Naswood Tsosie, David Tsosie Sr., Richard Tsosie, and John Jay Tsosie Sr.; husband, Charlie Kee Lee; daughter, Mildred Lee; son, Charlie Lee Jr.; and three grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Fernando Tilden, Philander Wauneka, Jamesen Ahasteen, Joel Herbert, Anthony Tsosie, and Sharon Tsinnijinnie.

Honorary pallbearers will be Phillip Wauneka, Norman Lee, and Larry Tsosie.

A reception will take place at the St. Dominic Hall in Fort Defiance, following services.

Summit Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

Lillie A. Robertson

LUKACHUKAI, Ariz. — Graveside service for Lillie Ann Robertson, 87, of Lukachukai, Arizona, will be held Friday, Sept. 1, at 10 a.m., at the Lukachukai cemetery.

Lillie was born March 15, 1936, in Lukachukai, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). She passed away Aug. 27, 2023, in Albuquerque.

Lillie completed high school and was employed as a dental assistant at Indian Health Services with Tsaile/Chinle Hospital. She enjoyed traveling.

Lillie is survived by her sons, Virgil Clyde, Victor Clyde, and Trenton Twofeathers; daughter, Tammy Robertson; parents, Lola and Jim Joe; brother, Anslem Joe; and sister, Sadie Vicentie.

Lillie is preceded in death by Marvin Robertson, Sharon Robertson, Gordon Robertson, and Charlotte Robertson.

Pallbearers will be family and friends.

Honorary pallbearers will be Virgil Clyde, Victor Clyde, Tammy Robertson, and Trenton Twofeathers.

A reception will take place at Lillie’s residence (one-fourth mile northwest of the Lukachukai Chapter House) following service.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Theodore Thompson Sr.

GANADO, Ariz. — Funeral services for Theodore Thompson Sr., 76, of Ganado, Arizona, were held Aug. 28 at the Ganado Catholic Church with Brother Paul officiating. Interment followed in Burnside, Arizona.

Theodore was born May 15, 1947, at Sage Memorial Hospital in Ganado, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). He passed away Aug. 23, 2023, in Fort Defiance.

Theodore was employed as a construction laborer.

Theodore is survived by his son, Theodore Thompson Jr.; stepson, Micheal Thompson; stepdaughters, Charlene Anderson, and Charlotte Thompson; sisters, Miriam Cornfields, Marie Wellington and Helen James; and 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Theodore is preceded in death by David Thompson, Harold Thompson, Catherine Thompson, and Samuel Thompson.

Honorary pallbearers were Theodore Thompson Jr. and Micheal Thompson.

Summit Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.