Obituaries for Feb. 27, 2020

Grace A. Tsosie

CROWNPOINT, N.M. — Funeral services for Grace A. Tsosie, 90, of Crownpoint, will be held at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup on Monday, March 2, 2020, with Fr. Gil Mongampo of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish officiating.

A public viewing will be held at 9:30 a.m. followed by a rosary at 10 a.m. The Funeral Mass will start at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Gallup. The family will receive visitors following burial services at Red Rock Park in Church Rock, N.M.

Grace passed away on Feb. 25, 2020, in Gallup surrounded by family. She was born on Nov. 4, 1929. Her clans are Sagebrush Hill People (Ts’ah yisk’idnii), born for Sleep Rock Clan (Ts’nabahiłnii), her maternal grandfather’s clan is Salt People Clan (Ashįįhi) and her paternal grandfather’s clan is Zuni People (Naasht’ezhí Diné).

She was a devout public servant and worked for BIA Schools in Holbrook, Teeç Nos Pos and Crownpoint. She was also employed with Navajo Nation revenue sharing, senior centers and the elections office, and was a member of the Crownpoint Chapter Community Planning Committee.

She was an expert seamstress making dolls and traditional Navajo clothing and she was a master Navajo rug weaver. She adored her sheep, sheepdogs, cattle and horses. She loved to cook, sing to her baby grandchildren and country western dance with her grandsons.

She is preceded in death by her parents Mary Bah Arviso and Leo D. Arviso; first husband Tommy Murphy; sisters: Sarah Bass, Minnie Browning, Lucy Carlston, Mary Rose Murphy; brothers: Olsen Arviso Sr., Leonard Arviso, Art Arviso Sr., Arnold Norberto; sons: Bobby Murphy, Nelson Murphy and Raymond Murphy.

Grace is survived by her husband Edward Tsosie of Crownpoint; daughters: Loretta Ann Miller of Gallup, Lynda M. Lovejoy of Albuquerque, Vera Murphy, Rita Capitan, Valarie Murphy and Tanya Tsosie all of Crownpoint; sons: William Murphy, Melvin Murphy, Calvin Murphy, Donald Murphy and Tyrone Tsosie all of Crownpoint; brother Tommy Arviso Sr. of Window Rock; 43 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Brian Capitan, Kyle Henry, Ryan Miles, BillyDee Murphy, Byron Murphy and Tylon Tsosie.

Funeral arrangements are provided by Rollie Mortuary of Gallup.

Jane Werito Yazzie

FARMINGTON — A Celebration of Life for Jane Werito Yazzie was held Feb. 8, 2020, at the Maranatha Fellowship Church in Farmington. She was laid to rest at the Brethren in Christ Mission Cemetery in Otis, New Mexico.

Jane, a member of Eastern Diné Nation in New Mexico, left this earth to live in everlasting glory with her Savior Jesus Christ on Feb. 4, 2020. She was Hooghan łání (Many Hogans Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan) people of the community of Dziłnaodithłe (Huerfano), New Mexico.

Jane was the middle daughter of the late Jim and Louise Werito and wife of the late Alfred Padilla Yazzie.

Jane, matriarch of the family, had seven children. Her late five sons include Alfred Jr., Keith, Raymond, Presley and Ronnie. Surviving daughters include Victoria, Maxine, and adopted granddaughter, Venaya. Siblings include Annabelle Yazzie, Marie Black, and brothers, Bobby, Harvey Werito, and the late Jimmy, Wilbert and Thomas Werito.

At age five, Jane attended the Ignacio Indian Boarding School in southwest Colorado, and in the 1970s, she worked at the Fairchild Plant in Shiprock.

Jane was a weaver, seamstress and wonderful storyteller. In 2007, along with her sister Annabelle and adopted sister, the late Ernestine Chavez, were specially invited to speak about their experience at Ignacio Indian Boarding School at the Fort Lewis College Delaney Research Library in Durango, Colorado. They also visited the old school campus on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.

Jane loved school and learning new things. She often reflected on her positive memories of her time spent at boarding school.

Jane was beloved by many in the Farmington/Huerfano and surrounding communities. She always had a friendly smile to share and greeted everyone she met with gratefulness and humility.

Jane loved her two pet cats, Abraham and MiuMiu, who were in her constant company at home. She will be greatly missed.

Harry De Jolie

PAGE, Ariz. — A Celebration of Life for Harry De Jolie will be held Saturday, Feb. 29, at 10 a.m. at the Faith Bible Chapel in Page, Arizona. Viewing will take place one hour prior to service from 9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. Burial will follow at the Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Camp Navajo, in Bellemont, Arizona.

Harry was born April 15, 1933, to Bob and Florence Tso De Jolie of Kaibeto, Arizona. He peacefully passed away Feb. 22, 2020, at the Arizona State Veterans Home in Phoenix.

Harry fellowshipped with believers at the Pure Heart Church in Kaibeto, Coppermine Full Gospel and Faith Bible Chapel in Page. He worked as a boilermaker with Local No. 627 and helped construct Navajo Generating Station and other various work sites throughout Arizona.

Harry enjoyed ranching, working with livestock, riding horses, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Best of all, Harry loved family reunions and enjoyed watching his family set up camp outside his home on the ranch. He enjoyed the laughter of children as it filled the air and telling stories of long ago near a campfire. He will dearly be missed by all.

Harry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Florence Bilagody De Jolie; children, Harrison, Charlotte, Le Roy, Jacqueline, Olivier and Oscar Travis; brothers, Robert and Mark; sisters, Rena and Margaret; and 16 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Harry is preceded in death by his sons, Marvin and Gary De Jolie; and great-granddaughter, Chenoa Faith Wagner.

Alex Tso Sr.

FLAGSTAFF — Funeral services for Alex Tso Sr. were held Feb. 26 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Stake Center, in Flagstaff. Interment followed at the Citizens Cemetery in Flagstaff.

Alex was born Jan. 2, 1934, in Grand Falls, Arizona. He passed away Feb. 21, 2020, surrounded by his family.

Alex lived his early years in Grand Falls until the age of 17, then in Tooele and Salt Lake City for 25 years, and in Flagstaff for 44 years. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Alex loved to go fishing, paint and enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Alex is survived by his wife, Violet; daughters, Virginia Tulley of Fort Apache, Arizona, Emma Largo of Pleasant Grove, Utah, and Carol Halwood of Flagstaff; sons, Alex Tso Jr. of Grand Falls, and Matthew Tso of Flagstaff; brother, Austin Tso of Grand Falls; and sisters, Ann Lefthand of Grand Falls, Victoria Tso of Grand Falls, and Betty Long of Leupp, Arizona.

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