Obituaries for Feb. 24, 2022

Elvira P. Tsosie

BREADSPRINGS, N.M. — Funeral services for Elvira Pinto Tsosie, 58, of Breadsprings, New Mexico, will be held Monday, Feb. 28, at 10 a.m., at the Bááháálí Church of God Holiness in Breadsprings, with Jake Yazzie Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Rehoboth, New Mexico.

Elvira was born July 11, 1964, in Gallup, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Dibé Łizhiní (Black Sheep Clan). She passed away Feb. 19, 2022, in Albuquerque.

Elvira graduated from Gallup High School and attended the University of New Mexico-Gallup. She worked and retired from Navajo Nation Head Start.

Elvira loved making her testimony at church and enjoyed fishing and spending time with her children.

Elvira is survived by her sons, Kendrick Tsosie and Jerimiah Tsosie; daughters, Jody Tsosie, Carlene Tsosie, Rachel Tsosie, and Krystn M. Benally; brother, Gilbert Pinto; and two grandchildren.

Elvira is preceded in death by her mother, Annie Livingston Pinto; father, Joe Pinto Jr.; and husband, Joe Tsosie Jr.

Pallbearers will be Lance Pinto, Ryan Jones, Brian Jones, Felix Yazzie, Darrell Yazzie, and Harold Yazzie Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Gilbert Pinto, Kendrick Tsosie, Jerimiah Tsosie, and Brian Pinto.

A reception will take place at the Bááháálí Church of God Holiness, following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversees arrangements.

Victor Beck Sr.

TUCSON — Victor Paul Beck Sr., a renowned Diné silversmith, respected community leader, and beloved father passed away Feb. 18, 2022, in Tucson.

Raised in Piñon, Arizona, Beck was the Navajo Nation Council delegate for his hometown chapter of Piñon on the Navajo Reservation. He was instrumental in the bringing and building of Piñon High School and his family has since been a huge presence throughout the community.

As an artist, Beck accumulated many prestigious awards. He was described as a master jeweler and an “Arizona Indian Living Treasure.”

Beck will be remembered as one of the great Native American artists, dedicating almost 50 years to his craft and mastery of contemporary silversmith work.

Beck’s late wife, Eleanor Beck, who passed six years earlier in 2016, was also a silversmith and for much of their lives together they attended Native art shows across the country while simultaneously raising their three children.

Beloved by all who knew him, Beck will be laid to rest in his hometown of Piñon later this week.

Beck was born Oct. 2, 1941, and was 80 years old when he passed away.

Beck is survived by his children, Kehazbaa, Nanibaa with her husband Andrew, Victor Jr., and grandson Nathan.

To donate for funeral expenses: Venmo @victor-becksr, zelle (270-872-3061) or PayPal @VPBSr.

Abraham Bochinclonny

TSAILE, Ariz. — Funeral services for Abraham Bochinclonny, 59, of Lukachukai, Arizona, will be held Friday, Feb. 25, at the Tsaile Community Church in Tsaile, Arizona. Burial will follow at the Lukachukai community cemetery.

Abraham was born in Cortez, Colorado, born for Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan). His nálí is Dził Tł’ahnii (Mountain Cove Clan); cheii is ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan). He passed away Feb. 18, 2022.

Abraham worked as a weaver, necklace beader, custodian and mechanic. He enjoyed beading necklaces, weaving, doing yard work, house repairs, housekeeping, and working on vehicles.

Abraham is survived by his wife, Phyllis Bochinclonny; children, Amerson Bochinclonny, Alroy Bochinclonny, Tyson Bochinclonny, Abram Bochinclonny, Amaris Bochinclonny, and Andrew Bochinclonny; siblings, Mary Teller, Katherine Bochinclonny, Rosina Bochinclonny, LaVerne Wagner, and Ray Bochinclonny; and nine grandchildren.

Abraham is preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Wado Bochinclonny; and niece, Lori Curley.

Pallbearers will be Amerson Bochinclonny, Alroy Bochinclonny, Tyson Bochinclonny, Abram Bochinclonny, Andrew Bochinclonny, Ray Bochinclonny, Lehi Curley, and Robbie Teller.

Honorary pallbearers will be LeAnn Curley, Terry Teller, Hasen Dempsey, and Freddie Teller.

A drive-thru reception will take place at Abraham and Phyllis’s residence (1.5 miles north of Lukachukai Community School), following services.

Cope Memorial Chapel-Gallup is in charge of arrangements.

Barbara L. Paul

PINE HILL, N.M. — The wife of former Navajo Nation Vice Chairman Frank E. Paul, Barbara L. Paul, passed away Feb. 16, 2022, in her home in Pine Hill, New Mexico, from natural causes.

The late Mrs. Paul is originally from Bidahochi, Arizona, near Indian Wells. She was 88.

Mrs. Paul was born through natural childbirth in Indian Wells on Oct. 6, 1933. Her parents were Hastiin To’yei Haataał and Ahxaa’hi’baa. The government changed Ahxaa’hi’baa’s name to Lucy Morris.

Mrs. Paul was Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Tótsohníí (Big Water Clan). Her father was a medicine man.

Mrs. Paul attended the Sherman Institute in Perris, California, and lived in Canton, Ohio, where she furthered her studies. She graduated from high school in Lindrith, New Mexico, where she met her husband.

Following graduation, she enrolled in a nursing program in Pasadena, California, and on May 8, 1960, Barbara L. Morris married Frank E. Paul in Dilkon, Arizona. Upon returning to Pasadena following her wedding, the policy of the nursing program changed that did not allow for married students to continue.

Mrs. Paul devoted her time to her marriage, home, and children. Mr. and Mrs. Paul have three children, Navin K. Paul, Trudy Paul, and Teena Paul. Trudy passed away in May 2013.

Mrs. Paul’s husband of 56 years was one of the five original advisory board members for the Office of Navajo Economic Opportunity Navajo Culture Center. Frank became the director for the ONEO Child Development and later assistant executive director. He later served as adult education specialist for the BIA Navajo Area Office.

Frank served as agency superintendent for BIA Western Navajo before being announced as the vice chairman running mate to Peter MacDonald. Frank was sworn into office on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 1979, as the vice chairman for the Navajo Tribal Council.

In May 2010, Mr. and Mrs. Paul celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows at a special ceremony in Tinaja, New Mexico.

Mrs. Paul remained devoted to the Sand Mountain Church of the Nazarene. She was the manager for the senior citizen program in Ramah, New Mexico, for several years, and served Home Care Options Inc. in Gallup, as a case manager.

Mrs. Paul is survived by her sister, Nellie Paddock of Holbrook, Arizona; son, Navin K. (Cindy) Paul of Chandler, Arizona; daughter, Teena Peterson of Albuquerque; and seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Paul is preceded in death by her parents, Hastiin To’yei Haataał and Ahxaa’hi’baa (Lucy Morris); daughter, Trudy; husband, Frank E. Paul; granddaughter, Liane Beaver; and sons-in-law, Jimmie Peterson Jr. and Peterson Jimmie Martinez.

Services were held on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Sand Mountain Church of the Nazarene in Pine Hill.

Summit Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

Donations can be sent to Summit Funeral Home by calling 928-871-1120.

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