Deaths

• Avrum Organick
• Marie Craig

Avrum Organick

RED LAKE — Memorial services for Avrum B. Organick, 81, were 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18 at the Alumni Memorial Chapel on the UNM-Albuquerque campus.

Avrum B. Organick, MD died Dec. 17, 2007. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on July 16, 1926.

Organick had a Bachelor of Science degree from City College of New York and his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College . He helped pioneer new treatments for tuberculosis and he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959 and served at Brooks Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, where he headed the tuberculosis unit. He was a Major in the Army Medical Corps and completed his military service in 1967. Organick then established a private practice in Albuquerque which specialized in Internal Medicine and Diseases of the Chest. After he closed his Albuquerque practice he remained a practicing physician. He then pursued a Masters Degree in creative writing at UNM and received his MA in Creative Writing in 1996. He was the author of a number of published short stories and books including Blessings, A Scandal in Yvonsk and Canyon Boy. He was also a regular contributor to Gallup Independent’s Spiritual Perspectives column. During his retirement he was the recipient of the Navajo Area Indian Health Service Director’s Award for Outstanding Health Care Provider.

Survivors include his wife, Ida Gail Organick; son, Benjamin Organick; daughters, Desbah Pilette, Aliza Organick, Shoshana Organick; five grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of New Mexico Cancer Center, MSC08 4630, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M. 87131-0001.

Full obituary can be found on page 24 of today’s Independent.

Marie Craig

CHURCHROCK — Funeral services for Marie J. Craig, 77, will be 9 a.m. Dec. 24 at the Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Center. Bishop Michael Jones will officiate. Burial will be in the City Cemetery. Visitation will be at Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Stake Center at 8 a.m. Dec. 24.

Craig died Dec. 20, 2007 in Gallup. She was born Aug. 21, 1930 in Rehoboth into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Meadow People Clan.

She was a traditional artist- silversmith, rug weaver, rancher, horse trainer- (wagon team), and a home maker.

Survivors include her sons, Wesley Craig, Hyson Craig, Lester Craig; daughters, Noreen Craig-Kelly, Phoebe Craig McCray, Linda Craig Williams, Alethea Craig; brother, Charley Johnson; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren.

Craig was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Craig; Mary J. Johnson, Jimmy Johnson, Kayde K. Smith, great grandchild, John Johnson, George Johnson.

Pallbearers will be Craig R. Kelly, Les Robinson Craig, Christopher Craig, Lesley H. Craig, Robert Craig III, and Charles Johnson.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Churchrock Chapter.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.