Obituaries for July 17, 2025

 

Helen M. Lynch

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. – A funeral mass for Helen Marie Lynch (née Oliver), 95, will be held Tuesday, July 22, at 11 a.m., at the Mary Mother of Mankind Catholic Church, St. Michaels Mission, in St. Michaels, Arizona. A rosary will take place prior to mass at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Michaels.

Helen was born April 20, 1930, in Shiprock, to Ollie Olive (née Lee) of Beclabito, New Mexico, and Howard Oliver of Upper Fruitland, New Mexico. She is Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan). She passed away peacefully in hospice surrounded by family on July 14, 2025, in Gallup.

Helen attended Navajo Methodist Church in Farmington. After graduating high school in 1950, she moved to Gallup, with her sister where they lived at the Catholic Indian Center while learning secretary skills.
During this time, Helen met Thomas Lynch Jr., who was working nearby in Gamerco, New Mexico, at a Bureau of Indian Affairs warehouse. They married on Feb. 17, 1952, at the Navajo Methodist Mission chapel in Farmington. Soon thereafter they moved to Window Rock, where they lived for the remainder of their lives together while raising a family.

Helen worked as a clerk typist and then a dictating machine transcriber for the Division of Education in the Bureau of Indian Affairs Navajo Area Office until her retirement in 1981.

Helen was an embodiment of strength, resiliency, and determination until the very end. Her generosity and compassion will be remembered fondly by her family.

Helen is survived by her daughters, Veronica Montoya and Karen Lynch; and granddaughter, Teresa Montoya.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Thomas Lynch Jr.; and siblings, Lloyd, Willard, Hedy, Clara, Vivian, Dorothy, and Herman.

A reception will take place at the St. Michaels Mission Parish Hall following services.

Cope Memorial of Gallup oversaw arrangements.

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Priscilla Plummer

GALLUP – Funeral services for Priscilla Plummer, 100, of Tohatchi, New Mexico, were held July 16 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Harry Plummer officiating. Interment followed in Tohatchi.

Priscilla was born Nov. 24, 1924, in Church Rock, New Mexico, into the Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan). She passed away July 16, 2025, in Gallup.

Priscilla attended school up to the third grade and enjoyed weaving rugs.

Priscilla is survived by her daughters, Yvonne Begay and Shirley Brown; sisters, Tina Lee, Naillie Begay and Louise Edison; and 16 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

Priscilla is preceded in death by her husband, Paul Plummer.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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Anna M. Frazier

DILKON, Ariz. – Anna Marie Frazier passed peacefully on May 22, 2025, at the Winslow Campus of Care in Winslow, Arizona. She was born in 1939 in Leupp, Arizona, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). Her cheii is Naasht’ézhí Tábąąhá; nálí is Tódík’ózhí (Salt Water).

Anna loved and valued her family and relatives. Her two boys, Billy and Bobby, were her pride and joy. Their education and the sports they were involved in kept her very busy for many years. She was their biggest cheerleader, actively supporting the teams they played on and serving on the school boards of the schools they attended. She was so happy when her boys earned college degrees in civil engineering.

After attending boarding schools at Seba Dalkai for grade school, Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah, for junior high, and then graduating from Fort Wingate High School, Anna went on to receive a secretarial degree in the early 1960s from Browning Technical School in Albuquerque.

Anna’s passion for justice led her to work for the Navajo Nation in many capacities, including for President Peterson Zah and Chairman Peter McDonald.

Anna later worked for Rehoboth Christian School. She passionately advocated for Native American students and their families, making sure they obtained scholarships and equal opportunities.
In 1990, Anna returned to her home community of Dilkon. She was soon involved in local politics, where she served as Dilkon Chapter coordinator and eventually as Dilkon Chapter president, advocating for economic development and bringing (potable water, Bashas’, and medical center) to the community of Dilkon Chapter.

As Anna became more involved, she became increasingly aware of the problem of environmental justices on Native lands. She was one of the founding members of Diné Care, a cause that led her to many interesting places and developed many deep friendships. She poured her heart and soul into her work and fiercely fought for justice.

In retirement, Anna enjoyed gardening and spending time with her family, relatives, and friends. She was an excellent horsewoman, having ridden since childhood around Pyramid Butte, just west of Dilkon. She spent many hours caring for her much-loved Hereford cows, as her grandfather had taught her, “Take care of your animals and they will take care of you.

Anna touched our lives in many ways, with many cherished memories. Though she is no longer with us, her spirit inspires and guides us. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

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Merlin R. Nephi

FORT DEFIANCE – Funeral services for Merlin “Bubbles” Robin Nephi, 52, of Window Rock, will be held Friday, July 18, at 10 a.m., at the Presbyterian Church in Fort Defiance. Burial will follow at the Fort Defiance Veterans Cemetery.

Merlin was born Aug. 2, 1972, in Fort Defiance. He was Ute and Navajo. His nálí is Hopi and Ute. He passed away July 10, 2025, at his home in Window Rock.

Merlin graduated from Window Rock High School and worked at Navajo Housing Authority for 10 years and various other places. He enjoyed watching baseball and football.

Merlin is survived by his mother, Leah K. Nephi; and brother, William Hubbard.

Merlin is preceded in death by his father, Leland Nephi; sister, Melinda Nephi; and brother, Michael P. Nephi.

Honorary pallbearers will be Emery Hubbard Sr., Emery Hubbard Jr. and Patrick Cook.

A reception will take place at the Presbyterian Church following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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Lyle Craig

GALLUP – Funeral services for Lyle Craig, of Crownpoint, will be held Friday, July 18, at 10 a.m., at the LDS Church in Gallup, with Able H. Bates III officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park (west of Gallup).

Lyle was born Feb. 20, 1979, at the Gallup Indian Medical Center, into the Ts’ah yisk’idnii (Sage Brush Hill Clan), born for Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover Clan). He passed away July 12, 2025, at the Christus St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe.

Lyle received a bachelor’s degree and was employed with Environmental Protection in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He enjoyed training horses, animal clinics, and rodeos.

Lyle is survived by his mother, Vera Murphy; brother, William Craig; sisters, Velliyah Ellen and Candace Craig; grandparents, Tommy Murphy and Grace A. Tsosie; and six grandchildren.

Lyle is preceded in death by his father, Carson Craig.

Pallbearers will be Dean Willeto, Preston Johnson, Alerin Craig, Carson Craig Jr., Ross Craig, William Craig, Jake Regole, and Nicholas Craig.

A reception will take place at the Gallup LDS Church following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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Travis T. Boyd

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. – Funeral services for Travis Thomas Boyd, 58, of Crystal, New Mexico, will be held Friday, July 18, at 10 a.m., at the St. Michaels Catholic Church in St. Michaels, Arizona, with Rev. Matthew Kellee officiating. Burial will follow at the family plot in Crystal.

Travis was born Nov. 13, 1966, in Fort Defiance, into the ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan), born for Kinłichíi’nii (Red House People Clan). He passed away July 10, 2025, in Flagstaff.

Travis is survived by his daughter, Summer Rain Boyd; parents, Thomas and Shirley Boyd; sisters, Talynne Boyd and Thomasina Boyd; and grandparents, Alice and Jack Boyd, and Pearl Foster and Felix Ashley.

Pallbearers will be Braydon Boyd, Ryan Boyd, John Boyd III, John Boyd IV, Larry Hoskie, and Randall Hoskie.

Honorary pallbearers will be John Boyd Jr., Darryl Boyd, Nathaniel Boyd, Daniel Boyd, Logan Boyd-Jensen, and Garrith Becenti.

A reception will take place at the Crystal Chapter House following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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