Obituaries for July 30, 2020

Darlene B. Lewis

FORT DEFIANCE — Darlene B. Lewis, 52, of Fort Defiance, unexpectedly passed away in her sleep on July 19, 2020. Darlene was born Jan. 24, 1968, into the Hashtl’ishnii (Mud Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). Her maternal grandfather is Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass) and paternal grandfather is Naashaashí (Bear People).

Darlene was a traveler, she lived in places such as Mississippi, New York, and Wisconsin. Darlene was married to Albert Lewis Jr., of Manuelito, New Mexico. Her sisters are Pauline Curley and Lenora Watchman.

Her brothers are Anthony Beyal, Randolph Beyal and Wilfred Beyal. Children of Darlene and Albert are Kendall Lewis, Jessica Lewis, Tevin Lewis, Sariah Lewis, and Afton Lewis.

Grandchildren are Amari and Azarius Werito. Darlene is preceded in death by her mother, Lena H. Beyal; and brother, Gregory Beyal.

The Lewis family and Beyal family are grateful for the kind thoughts, helpful prayers, donations, and generous support as they grieve the loss of their loved one. The family has also set up a GoFundMe account to help with expenses.

A memorial service will be announced at a later time.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Annie Arviso

KIRTLAND, N.M. — Graveside service for Annie Arviso, 92, will be held today, July 30, at 3 p.m. at the Memory Garden Cemetery with Rev. Mike Lee officiating. Viewing will take place two hours prior to service from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Cope Memorial Chapel in Kirtland, New Mexico.

Annie was born July 5, 1928, in Bisti, New Mexico, in a stone house where her parents lived. She passed away July 21, 2020.

Annie married Mike Arviso on Aug. 20, 1942, in Aztec New Mexico. They had six girls and four boys. One son, Bob Arviso, is deceased. They lived a happy life until Annie’s husband passed away in 1981. Mike was her last and only love of her life. She never remarried.

Annie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, weaver, homemaker, and sheepherder of Bisti. She was raised with livestock and learned to tend to animals. She loved sheep as her animal and enjoyed sheepherding. A passion of Annie’s was rug weaving. She made a lot of rugs and sold them to provide for her family. Annie was a Christian believer and would attend revivals where she would sing her heart out.

She walked with Jesus all her life and loved spending time with family. She loved all her grandchildren and children. She was a great-grandmother three times. Annie only spoke Navajo.

She knew few English words and did understand some English words. Annie was a firm believer in doing things right. She didn’t want a task with sloppiness. She will be deeply missed by her friends, family and all who knew her.

Annie is survived by her children, Tom Arviso, Helen Arviso, Irene Arviso, Dudy Antonio, Tony Arviso, Grace Arviso, Marion Arviso, Jack Arviso, and Anna Arviso; sister, Mary Ann Weil of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and 43 grandchildren.

Annie is preceded in death by her husband, Mike Arviso; son, Bob Arviso; sisters, Mable Joe and Ester Frank; and brothers, Frank Begay, Ned Thomas, Navajo Frank Begay, and Kellwood Begay.

Cope Memorial is in charge of arrangements.

Lena Hildreth

COOLIDGE, N.M. — Graveside service for Lena Hildreth, 65, of Coolidge, New Mexico, was held July 29 in Coolidge, with Charlie Long officiating.

Lena was born Aug. 16, 1954, in Gallup, into the Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan), born for ‘Áshiihí (Salt People Clan). She passed away July 22, 2020, in Albuquerque. Lena attended Thoreau High School and worked for St. Bonaventure Catholic School in Thoreau.

She enjoyed traveling, beading and scrapbooking. Lena is survived by her husband, Henry Hildreth Sr.; sons, Gregory Dodge, Henry Hildreth Jr., Brandon Hildreth, and Jerrick Hildreth; daughter, Gwendolyn Jones; brothers, Charlie Long and Tom Long; sister, Linda Begayne; and seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Lena is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Hill; father, Roy Hill; sisters, Irene Dehiya, Marie Ann Willie, Rose Long, and Ye Cos Bah Long; and brothers, Charles Long, James Long, Jimmy Hill, Curtis Hill, and Wilfred Hill. Pallbearers were Gregory Dodge, Henry Hildreth Jr., Brandon Hildreth, Jerrick Hildreth, Jeffrey Jones, and Chris Yazzie. Honorary pallbearer was Henry Hildreth Sr.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Malcolm “Skip” Patrick Curley

FORT DEFIANCE — Graveside service for Malcolm “Skip” Patrick Curley, 79, of Fort Defiance, will be held Monday, Aug. 3, at 10 a.m. at the Fort Defiance Veterans Memorial Cemetery with Deacon Dan officiating.

Malcolm was born Sept. 2, 1940, in Ganado, Arizona, into the Tsénjíkiní (Honey Combed Rock People Clan). He passed away July 26, 2020, at his home.

Malcolm graduated from the University of Albuquerque in business. He worked for the BIA, Taxation and Revenue, the Navajo Nation, and was also on the Fort Defiance Hospital Board of Directors. He retired in 2002, but could not stay home so he began his board of director life.

Malcolm enjoyed golfing and helping young children by exposing them to such things like the Arco Jesse Owens Games and keeping summer camps going. We all were a part of the tournaments in Gallup, Grants, Phoenix, and Albuquerque.

Malcolm loved his family, especially his granddaughters and newest member, his great-grandson Mataio. Malcolm was a father, papa, husband, and will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He was one of a kind and dad to many others.

He enjoyed life and helping those who needed help. Malcolm is survived by his wife, Kathie Curley; son, David Patrick Eddy; daughter, Tanya Curley; brother, Wilbur Curley; sister, Joyce Curley-Grieve; grandchildren, Mailai and Mahina Curley; and great-grandson, Mataio Curley.

Malcolm is preceded in death by Addie Curley. Pallbearers will be Donovan Harker, Louie Harker, Wilbur Curley, Harold Shirley, Richard Riddle, and Sonny Clark. Honorary pallbearers will be Bernard Shirley, Lewis Shirley, Jim Laconto, Jerry Bathke, Mike Kellogg, Dillon Harker, James Manuelito Jr., Richard Mike, and Billy Martinez.

To send flowers, call Blossom at 505-863-3886. Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

LavonDe Lavi

TOLANI LAKE, Ariz. — Graveside service for LavonDe Lavi, 51, of Glendale, Arizona, will be held today, July 30, near Tolani Lake, Arizona.

LavonDe was born Aug. 6, 1968, in Phoenix, to Astor and Eugene Price, into the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan) and Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan). Her body was overcome by COVID and she passed away July 25, 2020, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

LavonDe graduated from Alhambra High School in Phoenix. She was awarded the Chief Manuelito Scholarship and attended Brigham Young University. LavonDe married and became a devoted mother and homemaker to her family. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where she fondly recalled serving in the Young Women’s program.

Everyone who knew LavonDe, from extended family to trusted friends, could tell you stories of her warmth and generosity. She had a hearty spirit that filled a room, buoyed by her laugh and smile. She is remembered for her loyalty, her sincere desire to help those that came in her path and her love of music, movies, and all things U2.

We will miss those things and other things not mentioned and the hole she leaves in our lives will be hard to fill. LavonDe is survived by her sons, Joshua, Jared and Jordan; sister, Stephanie; brothers, Cody and Greg; and granddaughters, Skye and Rebecca Marie. LavonDe joins her mother and father on the other side, surely embracing each other with a love that only parents can provide. Maybe now she will finally learn how to make frybread like mom.

Eugene Price

TOLANI LAKE, Ariz. — Graveside service for Eugene Price, 82, of Tolani Lake, Arizona, will be held today, July 30, at the family burial grounds.

Eugene was born Nov. 27, 1938, on a dirt floor in a hogan at the Two Trees Ranch in Tolani Lake, into the Dzilt’aadí Kinyaa’áanii (Near the Mountain/Towering House Clan) and Tl’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People Clan). He passed away July 21, 2020, in Phoenix. Eugene attended Sherman Institute in Riverside, California; Riverside Indian School in Anadarko, Oklahoma; and Oklahoma University in Norman, Oklahoma, where he received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

Eugene worked for APS, the Navajo Nation, and Indian Health Service, where he also served as chief of facilities management during his career. Growing up, Eugene loved sports and rodeo. He played high school football and pursued his educational goals. In his later years he loved to spend time with his family and serve in his duties and visit the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Temple.

Eugene was one of the first Native American engineers, a remarkable achievement considering his humble origins. It is because of this that he held education in high regard and encouraged all his children and grandchildren to seek an education.

Eugene will be returning to our Heavenly Father and a waiting spouse where they will be united in the next journey of their lives together.

Eugene is survived by his sons, Gregory Price and Cody Price; daughter, Stephanie Whitehair; siblings, Frieda Hardy, Margie Bennett, Donald Price, Velma and Arkie Huskey Sr., Pauline and Perry Riggs, Alvin Price, Cecilia Kescoli, Louie and Gloria Price, Dennis and Gloria Price, and Ronnie Price; and eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Eugene is preceded in death by his wife, Astor Price; daughter, LaVon-De Lavin; and parents, Laura and Gene Price. Pallbearers will be Gregory Price, Cody Price, Donovan Price, Kai Bennett, and Brian Kriesel.

A reception will take place at the family burial plot, near Tolani Lake. Only immediate family will be in attendance. Valley Ridge Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

---