Obituaries for December 18, 2025
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U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Amaya M. Curley
PAGE, Ariz. – Funeral services for U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Amaya Mickel Curley, 25, of Page, Arizona, were held Dec. 5 at the First Baptist Church in Page. Interment followed at the family plot in Antelope Pass, near Page.
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Amaya Mickel Curley, Jan. 28, 2000-Nov. 16, 2025
Amaya was born Jan. 28, 2000, in Page, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tł’ízíłání (Many Goats Clan). Her nálí is Dzaanééz łání (Many Mules); cheii is Honágháahnii (One-walks-around). She passed away Nov. 16, 2025, in San Diego, California.
Amaya graduated from Page High School in May 2018 and was an accomplished and motivated student-athlete. She enjoyed playing basketball, soccer, volleyball, and softball. She was named Player of the Year for 3A Softball in 2018.
Amaya served in the Navy from September 2018 until her passing as an Electrician’s Mate Class 1 (EM1).
She is survived by her mother, Megan Marks; siblings, Ethan Cowyn Marks and Chloe Ason Marks; maternal grandparents, Delores and Stanford Fowler; and paternal grandparents, Pauline Fowler and Roger Curley Sr.
Amaya is preceded in death by her father, Ryan L. Curley.
Pallbearers were Jamal Fowler, Morgan Fowler, Tyler Henderson, Alonzo Henderson, Ricky Curley, Noe Contreras, Roger Curley Jr. and Adelbert Begay.
Honorary pallbearers were Ethan Cowyn Marks, Keanu Taye Henderson, Stanford Fowler, Damion Cling, Ambrose Lee Henderson and Brandon Hatathli.
Valley Ridge Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Karen A. Curtis
FLAGSTAFF – Funeral services for Karen Ann Curtis, 46, of Birdsprings, Arizona, were held Dec. 17 in Flagstaff. Interment followed at the Citizens Cemetery in Flagstaff.
Karen Ann Curtis, Dec. 10, 1979 – Dec. 5, 2025
Karen was born Dec. 10, 1979, in Tuba City, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). She passed away Dec. 5, 2025, in Church Rock, New Mexico.
Karen studied carpentry at Kicking Horse Job Corps in Montana and earned a certified nursing assistant degree from Northland Pioneer College. She was employed as a CNA at an adult care facility in Winslow, Arizona, and served in the National Guard with a medical team with foreign service.
Karen enjoyed traveling, helping people in need, volunteering at Nahat’á Dziil Chapter House, and singing Native American Church songs.
Karen is survived by her children, Osias John Franklin, Zyles Watchman and Zoey Nellie; and siblings, Sheila Curtis, James Curtis, Julius Curtis, Carol Curtis, Kaylene Curtis and Preston Curtis.
Karen is preceded in death by her mother, Bernice Nellie Curtis; father, John Nez Curtis Sr.; and brother, John Curtis Jr.
Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Louise A. Becenti
FORT DEFIANCE – Funeral services for Louise A. Becenti, 90, of Crystal, New Mexico, will be held Friday, Dec. 19, at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Fort Defiance, with Father Joseph Hund officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.
Louise was born Sept. 11, 1935, in Crystal, into the ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan), born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). She passed away Dec. 14, 2025, in Mulholland Well, New Mexico.
Louise earned a bachelor’s degree from Mary Mount College in Salina, Kansas, and was employed with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Education. She enjoyed sewing and spending time with her family.
Louise is survived by her sons, Marvin E. Becenti and Garrith W. Becenti; daughter, DeAnn L. Sabal; sister, Bessie N. Begay; and four grandchildren.
Louise is preceded in death by her husband, Monte A. Becenti; sister, Fannie M. Scott; brothers, Henry Nez, Edward Nez and Wayne T. Nez; parents, Silago and Josephine Nez; and grandparents, Pete and Rose Moore.
Louise is also preceded in death by Margaret Ashley who raised her.
Pallbearers will be Joseph S. Malone, Arthur L. Arviso Jr., Kyle Smith, Joshua A. Becenti, Rutherford C. Becenti and T. Jon Arviso Becenti.
Honorary pallbearers will be Tyron Smith, Michelle Malone, Jovito Sabal, Tiffany Sepulveda, Caitlin Ta and Natalia Sabal.
A reception will take place at St. Francis Hall in Gallup, following services.
Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
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Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow