In Memoriam

Skip O’Byrne

June 3, 1940 – July 9, 2021

LaVerne Marie “Skip” O’Byrne was born on June 3, 1940 in Raton, New Mexico to Vincent and Theresa (Gayet) Vukonich, the eldest of two daughters. She spent her entire childhood in Raton and graduated from Raton High School in 1958. On March 27, 1959 she married John F. O’Byrne and they spent the next 63 years raising a family and making memories. They started their family in Raton with the birth of their daughter Jody followed by John Pat, the first of four sons. The family moved to Jacksonville, Texas where the O’Byrne family owned and operated a sawmill. There Skip and John would spend several years and welcomed James (Crowbar), Joel (Booster) and Josh. In 1968 the O’Byrne clan loaded up and relocated to Silver City, New Mexico. After five years they again relocated to Animas, New Mexico where Skip and John raised their family.

Skip went to work at Animas Public Schools in 1973 and spent the next 36 years as the “Go To” person working as the high school secretary, the ultimate Ms. AHS. During this time Skip also drove a school bus on several different routes. Never was there a student that walked into the high school office, or loaded up on her bus, that Skip did not make feel welcome. If you were a student at AHS you were one of Skip’s kids. She loved AHS and up to a week before her passing she would ask, “When does school start? How many kids do we have in school? Do we have any new teachers?”

Skip passed peacefully on July 19, 2021 at home surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband John, Animas; her sister Bev (Ernie) Johnson, Raton; daughter Jody Hatch (Johnny), Animas; sons John Pat (Kim), Las Cruces; James, Animas; Joel (Melodie), Animas; and Josh (Paige), Eastend, Saskatchewan; along with 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Skip will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Ben Martin

October 22, 1945 – May 13, 2021

Gary Earl “Ben” Marlin, 75, formerly of Glenwood, New Mexico, passed away in North Platte, Nebraska, on May 13, 2021. Ben was born to Chester and Connie Marlin on October 22, 1945, in Broken Bow, and was raised by his grandparents, Christian and Cora Madsen, in Mason City. He graduated from Mason City High School and then Kearney State College with his B.A. in education.

Ben taught for a while and then became a pharmaceutical sales representative for various veterinarian companies in Nebraska, South Dakota and California. After retiring, he moved to Glenwood and became a big game guide and outfitter for 25 years. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed making furniture for his children and customers. Ben was a great dad and grandpa.

Ben is survived by his children, Melissa (Tim) Brouillette, North Platte; Mindy (Nathan) Marlin-Eichelberger, Cape Coral; Florida, and Jake (Kathleen) Marlin, Omaha; 11 grandchildren, a great-granddaughter, and brothers, Bo (Ann) Marlin; Millbrook, Alabama; and Jim (Martha) Sanford, Crockett, California; sisters, Lee (Jim) Schneider, Bellevue; and Kathy (Doug) Whatley, Folsom, California; cousins, Dick (Linda) Madsen and Jim (Mary) Madsen, Litchfield; his significant other, Evelyn Kluth, Glenwood; and many other family members.

Lois Ann Mackey Stansell

August 14, 1939 – June 22, 2021

Lois Ann Mackey Stansell went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Lois was a strong and courageous woman, who loved the Lord, her family, friends, and her community.

Lois Mackey Stansell was born on August 14, 1939, in Bloomfield, Nebraska, to Oscar and Ruth Nelson. She was one of 10 children. Her father Oscar passed away in 1945 and in 1947 Ruth and the kids moved to Falfa, Colorado. Lois attended the Orr School in Falfa, through the 8th grade and then attended Durango High School.

On September 22nd, 1956, she married her Cowboy, Nelson (Pinkie) Mackey. When they first married, they lived on the road while Pinkie worked road construction. They settled down and ranched on Middle Mesa, New Mexico, on the Mackey Ranch. Lois and Pinkie were blessed with four children. Lois loved living on the ranch and working with the cattle and horses the family raised. She took on calving heifers and any other ranch work with much dedi-

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