Obituaries for May 16, 2024

Josephine Francisco

TOHATCHI, N.M. — Funeral services for Josephine Francisco, 94, of Fort Defiance, were held May 11, at the First Nations Christian Reformed Church in Tohatchi, New Mexico, with James Bennett Jr. officiating. Interment followed in Tohatchi.

Josephine was born in Tohatchi, into the Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover Clan), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). She passed away May 6, 2024, in Winslow, Arizona.

Josephine retired from the U.S. government and was a volunteer for the Navajo Nation Foster Grandparent Program. She enjoyed arts and crafts, weaving rugs, sewing, crocheting, Word Search, puzzles, cooking, reading her Bible, and visiting with family and friends.

Josephine is survived by her son, Emerson Roanhorse; daughter, Priscilla (Mark) Cadman; and 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Josephine is preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth and Tom Howard; brothers, George Howard, Frank Howard, Kenneth Howard Sr., and Jesse James Howard; and sisters, Ella Reed and Frances Dahozy.

Pallbearers were Layne Howard, William “Bill” Dahozy, Lyle D. Alexius, Dustin “Casey” Nalwood, and Alexander Grubb.

Honorary pallbearer was Emerson Roanhorse.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Rose B. Leyba

ALBUQUERQUE — Services honoring Rose Bernadette Leyba’s life were held May 13 at the Queen of Heaven Church in Albuquerque.

Rose was born Roserita Bernadette Davis, the fourth child of 12 children born to Anselm G. Davis Sr. of Lukachukai, Arizona, on the Navajo Reservation, and Alieen Ben of Pearl River, Mississippi, of the Mississippi Band of Choctaws. She passed away peacefully on April 17, 2024, at her Albuquerque home, at the age of 89.

In the early 1960s, Rose worked at the Albuquerque Indian School in the registrar’s office when she met Valentino Leyba who worked in the boy’s dorm building. They married in 1963 and had four sons.

Rose was a loved wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt to many nieces and nephews whom she deeply cared about, never leaving a visit without making sure they had everything they needed. Throughout her retirement, she enjoyed traveling and working seasonal jobs at the auto auction and other events such as the racetrack, a vertical merchandising company, and Walmart.

Rose was also a dedicated member of the Tekakwitha Conference, a voice and presence of Indigenous Catholics, and she always looked forward to the new places she would visit while attending their conferences. She was proud of her Native heritage and enjoyed spending time at her second home in San Felipe, New Mexico, watching traditional tribal dances. She was quick with a joke and happy to tell you about any new crafts she had taken on or travel plans she had scheduled.

Rose is survived by her husband, of 60 years, Valentino Leyba Sr.; daughter, Carla Leyba-Chavez (Louie); sons, Michael Leyba, Dwayne Leyba and Valentino Leyba Jr.; siblings, Dr. Anselm Davis Jr., William P. Davis, Patricia A. Davis, Robert M. Davis, and Mae Begay; and 10 granddaughters, 11 great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Rose is preceded in death by her siblings, Pearl Nelson, Eleanor Smith, Gloria Davis, Loretta Chavez, Ralph Davis, and AK Davis; son, Patrick T. Leyba; and granddaughter, Melissa R. Leyba.

Louise Maria

RAMAH, N.M. — A Celebration of Life for Louise Maria, 78, will be held Friday, May 17, at 10 a.m., at the Ramah Navajo Church of the Nazarene in Ramah, New Mexico.

Louise was born June 22, 1945, in Ramah. She passed away peacefully on May 7, 2024, in Gallup.

Louise graduated from Southwest Indian School in 1964 in Peoria, Arizona. She was a sister, mother, and grandmother.

Louise worked as a BIA cook, teacher’s aide, adult educator, a KTDB Radio DJ, and cultural teacher. She was a longtime board member of the Ramah Navajo Church of the Nazarene as a Sunday school teacher, pianist, song leader, and outreach ministry.

Louise is survived by her brother, Gilbert Maria of Ramah; sisters, Grace Maria and Tanya Benally, both of Ramah; children, Carlos (Kylie) Lorenzo of Arizona, Ronald Lorenzo Jr. (Aaron Caddo) of New Mexico, and Lojann M. Lorenzo (Joseph Austin II) of Texas; and five grandchildren.

Louise is preceded in death by her parents, Kee and Mary Maria; grandmother, Zonnie D. Pino; first husband, Roy Charles; son, Kirk D. Charles; sisters, Bertha Chatto, Eva, Nancy, and Carolyn Maria; and brothers, Bennie Sr., Bobby Sr., and Abram Maria.

Arlene A. Tsosie

CHINLE — Graveside service for Arlene Ann Tsosie, 49, of Chinle, was held May 13 at the Chinle cemetery.

Arlene was born March 4, 1975, in Fort Defiance, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People Clan). She passed away May 6, 2024, in Chinle.

Arlene attended Many Farms High School up to the 10th grade and was self-employed with odd jobs. She enjoyed beading, yarn weaving, bike riding, cooking, taking walks, and listening to music.

Arlene is survived by her husband, Delbert Roanhorse; sons, Aaron Jay Tsosie, Shane Roanhorse and Kobe Roanhorse; daughters, Shawana Roanhorse, Sonja Roanhorse, Ariel Roanhorse, Helen Roanhorse, Rya Roanhorse, and Gabrielle Roanhorse; sister, Delores Hale; and four grandchildren.

Arlene is preceded in death by her parents, Dorthory Tsosie and Jimmy Jay Tsosie Sr.; son, Kristain Tsosie; daughter, Shaneya Roanhorse; and brothers, Herbert Tsosie, Robert Tsosie and Franklin Tsosie.

Pallbearers were Delbert Roanhorse, Shane Roanhorse, Kobe Roanhorse, Shawana Roanhorse, Brandon Hale, and Bradley Hale.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Arnold J. Ahkeah

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Funeral services for Arnold Jackson Ahkeah, 77, of Grand Junction, Colorado, will be held Monday, May 20, at 10 a.m., at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Grand Junction. Burial will follow at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado.

Arnold was born Feb. 24, 1947, in Rico, Colorado, into the Nihoobáanii (Gray Streaked Ends Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). His maternal grandfather is Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover) and paternal grandfather is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People). He passed away May 3, 2024, in Grand Junction.

Arnold attended Fort Lewis College and served in the U.S. Air Force. He worked for the state of Colorado and enjoyed music festivals, hunting, making chili and barbecuing, and was an avid fan of the Denver Broncos.

Arnold is survived by his wife, Shirley Burns; sons, William Ahkeah and Calvin Ahkeah; and daughters, Raine Cooper, Doreen Harvey, Taysia Burns Ereon, and Tamara Burns.

Arnold is preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Eula Ahkeah; and two sisters and five brothers.

Pallbearers will be William Ahkeah, Calvin Ahkeah, Roger Ahkeah, Shawn Ahkeah, Cody Ereon, and Chris Hodges.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dennis Harvey, Henry Manymules, Larry Manymules, and Phillip Begay.

A reception will take place at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church following services.

Brown’s Cremation and Funeral Service oversaw arrangements.

Helen M. Watchman

KINLICHEE, Ariz. — Funeral services for Helen Morgan Watchman, 74, of Cross Canyon, Arizona, will be held today, May 16, at 10 a.m., at the 7th Day Adventist Church in Kinlichee, Arizona, with Jonathan Chitwood officiating. Burial will follow in Kinlichee.

Helen was born Feb. 3, 1950, in Ganado, Arizona, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan). She passed away May 11, 2024, in Flagstaff.

Helen attended Nazlini Community School, Ganado Schools, and Chilacco Indian School in Oklahoma, graduating from Alchesay High School. She was a homemaker who loved taking care of her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed reading, cooking, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Helen is survived by her sons, Lambert C. Watchman and Fernando L. Dayaye; daughters, Felicia D. Suttle, Lorianna Yazzie and Lenora W. Tsosie; sister, Mary Louise Stevenson; and 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Hambert Watchman; sons, Francis D. Dayaye and Hambert Watchman Jr.; and daughter, Henrietta Watchman.

Pallbearers will be Conrad Suttle, Shelzay Suttle, Timothy George, Fernando Dayaye, and Trevor Dayaye.

Honorary pallbearers will be family and friends.

A reception will take place at Helen Watchman’s residence in Cross Canyon following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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