Deaths

• Laura Mae Bitsie
• Thomas E. Gasparich
• Starr Isabel Naswood
• Elsie Singer Nez

Laura Mae Bitsie

MEXICAN SPRINGS — Services for Laura Mae Bitsie, 47, will be announced at a later date.
Bitsie died Aug. 19, 2011, in Gallup. She was born June 14, 1964, in Gallup into the Near the Water People Clan born for the Towering House People Clan.

The family will have a gathering for friends and relatives at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, at the Mexican Springs Chapter House.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Thomas E. Gasparich

GALLUP — A Funeral Mass for Thomas E. Gasparich, 89, will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. The Rev Lawrence O’Keefe will officiate. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. A rosery will be recited at Sacred Heart Cathedral at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011.

Gasparich died Aug. 17, 2011, in Albuquerque. He was born July, 6, 1922, in Gallup.

Gasparich was the original owner of Hill Street and Landmark apartments, a founding member of Gallup Historical Society and an avid train lover.
Survivors include his brother Gerald Gasparich, of Albuquerque. Gasparich was preceded in death by his parents and brothers John and Henry.
Pallbearers will be Gasparich’s family members.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Starr Isabel Naswood

GALLUP — Funeral services for Starr Isabel Naswood, newborn, were at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, at the Diné Bible Methodist Mission in Gallup. Don Phoebus will officiate. Burial will be in Gallup.

Naswood was born Aug. 11, 2011, in Gallup into the Tangle People Clan born for the Tower House People Clan.

Survivors include her parents Daniell Manning and Jarvis Naswood, both of Fort Defiance; grandparents Sharon and Leonard James, of Fort Defiance, Stella Naswood, of Churchrock, and Eugene Wood, of Low Mountain, Ariz. Naswood was preceded in death be her great-grandmothers Opal Manning and Judy Dennison and great-grandfathers Kee Naswood and Oito Wood.
Pallbearers will be Jarvis Naswood, Ryan Manning, Elroy King Nolan Stewart, Forest Lowely and Terry Uentillie.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Western Skies Mobile Home in Gallup following the burial.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Elsie Singer Nez

COTTONWOOD, Ariz. — Graveside services for Elsie Singer Nez, 73, will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, at the Black Mountain Mission in Cottonwood, Ariz. The Rev. Daniel Smiley will officiate. Burial will be at Black Mountain Mission Cemetery.

Nez died Aug. 18, 2011, in Chinle, Ariz. She was born Aug. 11, 1938, in Salina Springs into the Tangle People Clan born for the Towering House Clan.

Nez worked at Chilliwack Indian School in Oklahoma for about two years and was a cook at Navajo Head Start. She also worked at Chinle Elementary School as a Navajo Culture Educator. She also stayed home and took care of her sheep.

Survivors include her son Cutis T. Nez; daughters Nancy N. Stevens, Elfreida Y. Begay; sisters Nasbah Goldtooth; 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Nez was preceded in death by Nehu T. Nez, Sandie S. Mitchell and Ned Singer.

Pallbearers will be Amentiuo Mitchell, Dennis Stevens, Ryan Stevens, Curtis T. Nez. Bradley Stevens and Alfonso Burbank.

The family received relatives and friends at Nancy Stevens residence on Saturday, Aug. 20, and Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.