No jail time for Watchman
But he must pay ex-girlfriend
Larry Di Giovanni
Staff Writer
WINDOW ROCK — New Mexico Rep. Leo Watchman Jr. won't be doing
any jail time, but he will have to pay restitution.
Window Rock Judge LaVerne A. Johnson sentenced the Navajo, N.M., lawmaker
Tuesday to one year of probation and restitution of $2,800. He will
pay that amount within 60 days to his former girlfriend and housemate,
Marian Buck of Window Rock.
On. Jan 23, Watchman pleaded no contest to a charge of battery, stemming
from a domestic argument during the early morning of Sept. 22 at Buck's
home on Curved Pond Drive in Window Rock.
Two succeeding charges stemming from late-night calls to her home
interfering with a judicial proceeding were dropped. Those charges
related to messages left by Watchman on Buck's answering machine,
asking if he could pick up personal articles still at her home.
Watchman told Johnson that he and Buck had maintained a seven-year
relationship. Both parties admitted that relationship is now over,
with no likelihood of reconciliation. Plans to have sentencing resolved
through tribal Peacemaker Court fell through, apparently due to Watchman's
schedule as a state representative. Buck later took that option off
the table.
"It still appears there's some animosity existing," Johnson
said. She expressed concern over a phone call Watchman made to Buck
earlier this month, which violated a protection order specifying no
contact.
Buck told the judge that he "expressed anger toward other people"
during the call, who were co-workers who had become involved on her
behalf.
Navajo Nation Prosecutor Jane Nez had recommended a year of jail time,
suspended, a fine of $3,000 and restitution of $1,000.
Buck recommended probation, an undetermined fine, and restitution
of $354 for an item broken in her home during the Sept. 22 dispute.
She also requested that he undergo anger management and alcohol abuse
counseling.
Judge Johnson cleared her entire afternoon docket Tuesday for Watchman's
sentencing hearing. The last two hours involved a closed-session negotiation
between the parties on the matter of a possible fine and restitution.
An accord was reached close to 5 p.m.
Following the hearing, Watchman declined comment. Buck issued a statement
later Tuesday night.
Buck responds
"I can say that this whole thing has been very empowering. I
have more strength and courage now. I've gained a lot," Buck
said.
She and Watchman both work for the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation
Department, Buck for 10 years as an administrative assistant. She
and Watchman will have to set aside their differences for the sake
of working in the same building Watchman is the Parks and Recreation
deputy director.
Buck said she was involved in a domestic violence incident once before
with Watchman. However, he has no prior criminal record, which was
a factor in sentencing. Buck said that incident occurred about four
years ago, resulting in a nose injury which was treated at Rehoboth-McKinley
Christian Hospital.
During the Sept. 22 incident, Watchman threw her against a wall, Buck
told Window Rock police.
"After five months of waiting for a decision, and five months
of delays, I'm pretty happy," she said.
Buck said it was never her intention to "shame (Watchman) or
humiliate him," adding, "From the beginning, I did not want
to approach the press."
"I hope she can move on, your honor," Watchman told Johnson.
"I'd like to move on myself."
Regarding situations that escalate to potential battery of a domestic
partner, Johnson said, "You're going to have to get out of that
vicious cycle."
The judge noted that Watchman and Buck have a lot to look forward
to.
"Life goes on, and we learn by life experiences," the judge
said. "Both of you are still young and have your careers to consider."
At age 33, Watchman is a cancer survivor. He told Johnson, "I've
had cancer four or five months now."
Watchman said he has largely recovered from his treatments. But he
exhausted his sick leave and annual leave work benefits, saying his
lengthy departure from work related to his recovery period, and not
wanting to come into potential contact with Buck.
He later had to attend Family Court so he could obtain an order allowing
him to work in the same location as Buck.
Johnson accepted Watchman's medical status as a factor in not imposing
a heavy fine on him.
Watchman had proposed continuing to make payments on a Chevrolet Suburban
he gave Buck as restitution. But Johnson said that would not be an
appropriate form of punishment to dissuade an individual in a domestic
battery case. It was later decided that he would keep his vehicle,
if he pays $2,800 restitution to Buck within the required 60 days.
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Kayenta man charged with kidnapping
Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — Navajo police arrested a 20-year-old Kayenta area
man on four charges stemming from a domestic violence incident that
began Valentine's Day in Prescott and ended Friday night.
Tribal police charged Alexander Mann, who lives about one-half mile
west of Mile Post 411 on U.S. 163, with two counts of aggravated kidnapping,
one count of unlawful imprisonment, one count of aggravated battery
and one count of endangering the welfare of a minor.
According to the Navajo Criminal Investigations Department report,
Mann went to the Prescott home of his common law wife, Tericita Crank,
27, and refused to let her go to work on Feb. 14.
On Feb. 15 a supervisor checked on her at home and advised her to
call the police. But when the supervisor left, Mann allegedly kept
her at home until they picked up her daughter, age 7, at school, the
report said. When they got home, he made them pack their clothes,
and he drove them to Flagstaff, the report said.
Detectives said he never allowed them out of the vehicle until they
reached the El Capitan peak area north of Kayenta when he allegedly
beat her and kicked the girl, resulting in pain, swelling and bruises.
Mann then took them to Crank's mother's home less than two miles northeast
of Mile Post 411 on U.S. 163, but still wouldn't let them leave, the
report said.
Crank's sister reportedly tracked them to the house and notified Navajo
police who then made the arrest without incident, the report said.
The report added that alcohol was involved, but did not specify how.
DWIs
The Navajo Corrections Department booked the following adults on drunken
driving charges from Feb. 12-18:
Shiprock Ronald Atcitty, 26, Shiprock; Jeremy Yazzie, 22, Shiprock;
Merrill Benally, 37, Beclabito; Wilson Williams, 35, Chinle;
Trista Benally, 23, Shiprock; Randy Benally, 29, Aneth; Anthony Chase,
39, Shiprock and Howard Tom, 37, Fruitland.
Tuba City Donald George, 63, Tuba City; Wilson Sloan, 41, Navajo Mountain;
Charlotte Gamble, 21, Tuba City; Vernita Maho, 39, Tuba City; Henry
Bitsuie, 48, Tuba City; Jerold R. Sloan, 41, Tuba City; Marcus Lee
Tsinigine, 20, Tuba City and James Lee Blake, 19, Leupp.
Window Rock Harold Curley, 36, Ganado; Milton Washington, 31, Vanderwagen;
Delbert Jackson, 30, Keams Canyon; Cynthia Wauneka, 24, Ganado; Stanley
Woody, 58, Inscription House; Stanley Young, 47, Kayenta; Kee Benally,
71, Crystal; Randy Sandoval, 58, White Horse; Francis Taliman, 73,
Fort Defiance; Teresa Ahasteen, 36, Kinlichee; Dewayne Baldwin, 32,
Wide Ruins; Chester Benally, 35, Rough Rock; Ella Wauneka, 19, Rough
Rock; Joseph Yazzie, 40, Chambers; Laura Dennison, 41,
Window Rock; Victor Etsitty Jr., 24, Fort Defiance and Regina Murphy,
21, Houck.
Chinle Isabelle Ann Bahe, 46, Chinle; Daniel Tsosie, 28, Del Muerto;
Cynatha Wheeler, 40, Many Farms; Albert Francis, 37, Toyei; Marie
D. Teller, 48, Chinle; Roy Totsonie, 41, Many Farms; Glenn Adhidley,
34, Tsaile; Edward Etsitty, 46, Cottonwood;
Olson Mitchell, 32, Many Farms; Rose M. Teller, 40, Chinle; Amos Begay,
20, Blue Gap; Dorothy Johnson, 38, Round Rock
and Eddie Sterling Scott III, 24, Chinle.
Crownpoint Nelson Casamero, 23, Mariano Lake; Wilbert Garcia, 50,
Upper Fruitland; Victor Gustine, 25, Mariano Lake;
Coolidge Woody, 28, Gallup; Clyde Yazzie, 37, Pueblo Pintado; Ervin
Manning, 21, Alamo; Glenson Pete, 37, Gallup and
Harrison Jake, 25, Farmington.
Kayenta Clarence Begay, 35, Chil Chin Bito; Wilson Salt, 33, Kayenta;
Brian Dan, 22, Sweet Water; Irving Cody, 28, Kayenta;
Nelson J. Smith, 46, Black Mesa; John Tahe, 39, Chil Chin Bito; Louise
C. Talker, 46, Kayenta; Manual Bitsinnie, 19,
Monument Valley; Autry Harry, 41, Shiprock; Kevin Stuart, 25, Kayenta
and Ferdinand Black, 24, Kayenta.
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Former clerk could stand trial in April
Tom Purdom
Staff Writer
GRANTS — Accused village of Milan embezzler Sandra Gonzales could
stand trial as early as April 16 for allegedly taking more than $180,000
of citizens' money in a five-year scam while she worked as the community
clerk.
Documents filed in the Thirteenth Judicial District Court in Grants
show Gonzales, 40, is scheduled for an April 2 pretrial conference
in front of District Judge Camille M. Olguin. Her name is on a list
of accused criminals slated to appear before the judge that day.
The list states that trials will begin at 9 a.m. April 16. The document
does not specifically state that Gonzales' trial will be April 16.
The list is a notice of jury trials. It also states that if Gonzales
and her Albuquerque attorney, Paul Kennedy, want to attempt a plea
bargain in the case it must be done no later than 2 p.m. of the last
working day preceding the scheduled trial date.
At least $180,000 was discovered missing in a routine audit of the
village books in April 2000 by contract state auditor Gary Gaylord.
When the missing funds were noted, Gaylord went to State Auditor Domingo
Martinez and an auditing odyssey began into previous years' books
which showed that more funds had vanished. Investigators could trace
missing funds back only five years because of the statute of limitations.
Gonzales worked for the village some 23 years before she was suspended
without pay by the village board of trustees in a special meeting
on May 15, 2000. Gaylord's audit of fiscal year 1998-99 revealed that
$55,000 was missing from city coffers during that year alone and the
auditor cited inadequate internal controls as the main reason.
One glaring question remains: How Gaylord found the missing money
and other contract auditors did not?
Sheriff's Detective Hank Goke would not speculate why other auditors
failed to make the discovery late last year. Goke is the investigator
who spent weeks talking to witnesses and investigating the crime,
which was taken before the Cibola County grand jury on Nov. 2.
The grand jury handed up a 44-count indictment, 43 of them for embezzlement
and one for tampering with public records.
Gaylord said some of the records he needed for the audit vanished
out of Village Hall and he was forced to backtrack records through
area banks.
Gonzales faces 32 counts of embezzlement over $2,500, each a third-degree
felony, and 11 counts of embezzlement over $250, each a fourth-degree
felony. The tampering charge is also a fourth-degree felony. She faces
up to 107 years in prison and/or fines totaling $129,000.
At the time of the indictment, the sitting Cibola County judge of
the Thirteeenth Judicial District was Joseph Arite. However, he lost
his bid for re-election so Gonzales' arraignment had to wait until
January before new District Judge Olguin could hear the case.
In the meantime Assistant District Attorney Michael Calligan was handed
prosecution of the case last year.
One of the documents in Gonzales' file in the district court clerk's
office shows only two witnesses for the state, Gaylord and Warren
Mathers, former Milan mayor, village manager, and now village trustee,
who held office during most of Gonzales' 23-year tenure.
Calligan said the abbreviated list is not the list of witnesses he
intends to call during the trial.
"There's a fairly long witness list," Calligan said, referring
to the jury trial witness list which apparently has not made its way
to the court clerk's office. "What you've got is probably the
grand jury witness list."
Calligan did not say exactly when the trial will be held or how long
he expects it to take.
Meanwhile, Gonzales never was arrested for the crimes. She remains
free on her own recognizance.
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Up and down year ends for Rehoboth
Carrie Loretto
Sports Editor
REHOBOTH — Rehoboth's loss against Tohajiilee in the first round
of the District 6A playoffs typified their season.
"I think this game was exactly what our season was, hot and cold,"
first-year Rehoboth coach Mark Charles said. "We came out some
games and shot the lights out and at times no one could hit. It was
a season of ups and downs."
Tohajiilee went up and down the court last night and ran away with
a 91-76 opening round victory over the Lynx to end Rehoboth's season.
"We lost this game on defense, we didn't pick up their cherry
pickers. Our man to man defense was working, we just had a few mental
lapses and allowed them to score. We gave them too many easy baskets."
Tohajiilee picked apart Rehoboth's press getting many layups throughout
the contest. Their fast-break offense was triggered by a strong performance
on the boards. Additionally, the Warriors grabbed many offensive rebounds
and put them back for scores.
But it was their three-point shooting that opened things up for Tohajiilee.
A three-pointer by James Gayes, the first of four by the Warriors
in the first period, ended a 4-4 tie and triggered a 9-2 run which
put Tohajiilee ahead for good. Andy Yazzie answered Gayes' trey with
a steal and a layup before six straight points put the Warriors up
13-6. Gayes scored four of those points with a pair of free throws
and a tip in on the offensive boards. Watuema
added a layup off the break before Rehoboth took a time-out.
Yazzie came back and scored, then the teams traded three-pointers
to a 19-11 score. The Lynx scored the next five points,
including a three-point play by Kenneth Begay to pull within three.
Dwight Platero answered with his second trey and a free throw from
Alex Montoya put Tohajiilee back up 23-16.
A shot from the perimeter by Jeff Van Haitsma made it a 23-18 score
after the first period.
A 6-0 run to start the second extended the Warriors' lead to 29-18.
Tohajiilee went up by as many as 19 points in the period on an offensive
put back by Watuema. The Lynx scored eight points in the final minute
with scores from Chris Gill, Robert Cupp and two free throws each
from Gill and Van Haitsma.
The last minute run left the Lynx trailing 47-36 at half-time.
Rehoboth still trailed 53-39 with 5:33 left in the third period when
the Lynx went on an 11-2 run.
Gill capitalized on a pair of Tohajiilee turnovers with assists to
Yazzie and Van Haitsma. Van Haitsma blocked a shot at the other end,
but Randy Mailboy recovered for the score. Van Haitsma pulled up for
a jumper at the other end, Everett Miller hit a three-pointer and
Van Haitsma added a free throw as Rehoboth closed within 55-49.
A pair of free throws from Platero gave Tohajiilee a 61-55 lead at
the end of the period.
Rehoboth was still within five points in the first part of the final
period after Van Haitsma's third three-pointer, but then Tohajiilee
went on a 12-1 tear to go back up 76-61 midway through the period
and Rehoboth was unable to recover.
Rehoboth finished with four three-pointers, Tohajiilee sank five.
The Warriors shot 58.7 percent (37-of-63) from the field. The Lynx
made 29-of-69 shots (42 percent).
Watuema had three treys for the Warriors and led all scorers with
30 points. Also for the Warriors, Montoya scored 22 and Platero 10.
Kenneth Begay led Rehoboth with 19 points. Van Haitsma scored 18,
Yazzie added 12 and Gill finished with 10.
Rehoboth ended the year with a 7-14 record and tied for fourth in
the district with Tohajiilee.
"It was a learning season for me, there's a lot of things I hope
I can take into next year," Charles said.
Rehoboth will graduate six seniors, including five players that started.
Tohatchi eliminates Wingate
Santiago Ramos
Staff Sports Writer
TOHATCHI — Tohatchi received inspiration from injured junior
point guard Leland Tyler to eliminate Wingate 57-50 Tuesday night
during the opening round of the District 1AAA tournament.
"Leland (Tyler) came in in the fourth period and inspired the
whole team," said Tohatchi coach Albert Jim about Tyler who played
with a ligament injury he suffered from last weekend's game at Thoreau.
"He's still only 50 percent. But we played well with or without
Leland."
Tohatchi, 5-17 overall, advances to play at No. 3 seed
Crownpoint Thursday night. The winner of Thursday's game plays at
No.
2 Thoreau Friday. The survivor of Friday's district semifinals will
move on to play at top seed Shiprock Saturday. All games are at 7
p.m. During the regular season the Cougars lost twice to Crownpoint
by margins of three and 12 points.
"They're much improved," Jim said of Crownpoint. "They're
the team that's hot right now. We'll just have to break down their
press and we'll be okay."
Wingate first-year coach Tom Chee felt that the presence of Tyler
in the final period was the key.
"The first three quarters we played excellent," said Chee
who suited up just eight players for the game after losing four varsity
players. "But down the stretch we couldn't overcome the presence
of Leland Tyler along with missed free throws. We're not disappointed.
We're excited for next year since we have no senior starters."
The opening round game was hotly contested for more than three quarters
by Tohatchi and Wingate, both former district powers that are used
to be playing in the semifinals or finals but struggled through lean
times this season to finish in the unfamiliar final two spots in the
district standings. Neither team was ahead by more than three to five
points.
The game was tied a total of nine times with the final time at 46-all
early in the fourth period after Cougar Sonny Waybenais scored off
an offensive rebound and added a free throw after being fouled on
the shot.
Tohatchi broke the tie as Gerald Nez scored on a nice baseline reverse
layup coming off a steal. Nez was also fouled on the play and sank
the free throw for a three-point Cougar lead, 49-46. A pass from Cougar
Miles Bitsoi to Jonah Billie for the score inside made it a seven-point
game.
The Wingate Bears, who finished the year with a disappointing 1-17
overall record with their lone win over AA Navajo Pine, trimmed the
Cougar lead down to three points on buckets by Carletts Henry and
Jeremy Brown off a steal with 2:10 left in the game.
But Tyler had a hand in Tohatchi's final two scores that sealed the
victory.
Tyler dished the ball off to Daniel Henio for a score inside with
1:35 left and then came right back after a Wingate traveling violation
to score off the glass for a 57-50 cushion with 1:03 on the clock.
Wingate's Randy Becenti missed on a trey attempt and Titus Nelson,
who was just 1-of-8 at the line, blew a 1-and-1 at the free throw
line with 16 seconds remaining. Tohatchi ran the clock down to preserve
its third straight win over Wingate this season after winning 54-43
and 57-39 in the first two meetings.
"Free throws hurt us," Wingate coach Chee said. "Titus
(Nelson) is usually a very good free throw shooter. His legs were
gone."
Free throw shooting proved to be crucial.
The Cougars hit 11-of-15 free throws for 73 percent shooting with
the Bears sinking just 2-of-12 for a dismal 17 percent.
Tohatchi had three players in double figures with Jonah Billie with
14 points, Travis Long 13 and Sonny Waybenais 10.
Wingate was led by Leonardo Jim with 19 points and five treys and
Titus Nelson with 17 points and four treys along with six rebounds.
Tohatchi was outshot from the field, shooting 38 percent, 21-of-53,
while Wingate shot 48 percent, 19-of-40. The Bears also fared better
from long distance, nailing 10-of-16 treys for 63 percent with the
Cougars 4-of-14 for 40 percent.
| Top |
Council hears proposals for sports program
Tanya Brazil
Staff Writer
GALLUP — Gallup City Council members are discussing a proposal
to turn Gallup's youth baseball and softball program over to the Boys
and Girls Club as a solution to the ongoing problems among the leagues.
At the work session Tuesday, City Manager David Ruiz reviewed a memorandum
sent to council members expressing his opinion on what he described
as "the annual argument over sanctioned leagues, usage of city
facilities and finances."
Ruiz said he agrees with a unanimous vote by the Gallup Sports Commission
to establish a new program under the authority of the Boys and Girls
Club of Gallup.
At his request, Esco Chavez, the executive director of parks and recreation,
has prepared a draft outline of possible solutions for the council
members' consideration...
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Roads top list of chapter plans
Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo County Boards of Supervisors recently
backed several requests for support from Navajo Reservation chapters.
Navajo County
The Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Defiance Agency's Road Department,
at the request of the Dilkon Chapter, received $3,312 from District
II Supervisor Jesse Thompson's special road projects account to stockpile
265 tons of gravel at 10 locations to be used on school bus stops
on BIA Route 15.
Supervisors in Holbrook also granted $500 from Thompson's special
non-roads project account for gas to haul coal to three senior citizens
centers.
The board received status reports on the county's allocations from
the state's Local Transportation Assistance II Fund, federal Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) fund, and the five members'
special road projects accounts, and approved needed transfers...
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Gomez to keep job for 2 years
Bill Donovan
Staff Writer
GALLUP — The contract for Robert Gomez, superintendent of Gallup-McKinley
County Schools, was extended Tuesday but for only two years instead
of the three now allowed under state law.
The school board also agreed to change district policy surrounding
the selection of valedictorian and a board policy regarding students
accused of committing murder.
Gomez, whose contract expires on June 30, will be given a raise
from his current $105,000 annual salary but just how much will depend
on state funding.
The extension was approved by a vote of four in favor with one abstaining.
Ken Holloway, who marked his last full meeting as a board member,
abstained, saying he did not feel it was proper for the old board
to vote on the extension...
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Highway accidents killed 12 in 2000
Tara Drolma
Staff Writer
GRANTS — Lt. Tom Dobson with the Milan office of the New Mexico
State Police has released the year-end statistics for his department.
Dobson said his officers responded to 95 automobile accidents involving
injuries and 153 non-injury accidents for 2000. Twelve people died
in 11 of those accidents.
The officers issued 7,142 citations for various violations. Of those,
123 were DWI arrests.
Dobson said the DWI arrests were higher than last year. He said he
was transferred to Milan from Las Vegas, N.M., last May, so he really
couldn't compare the statistics for 2000 with the 1999 numbers...
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Tower to boost cell phone service
Pam Dempsey
Special to the Independent
TUBA CITY, Ariz. — Static, no signal, and few service areas
will soon be a memory for cellular customers. Thanks to initial
efforts by Lorenzo Maxx and service by ALLTEL, a new cellular tower
will soon have its juice.
"We anticipate going on in the next three weeks," Wendy
Wheeler, vice president of external affairs for ALLTEL, said. "And
we are projecting coverage in Tuba City as well as the western portion
of the reservation. This tower will enhance (service to) the western
side."
The new tower, which has been in place for some time and is located
on top of Preston Mesa, is owned by Crown Castle, a company that
builds cell towers and rents them to cellular servicing companies,
such as ALLTEL.
Larry Hughes, vice president of Crown Castle's Southwest region,
said the tower has both paging and cell phone abilities, but it's
up to the company renting the space to decide what service to provide...
| Top |
Deaths
Michael H. Bia Jr.
PHOENIX — Services for Michael H. Bia Jr., 32, will be held at
10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at Navajo Community Bible Church, Tse Bonito.
Burial will follow at the Fort Defiance Hickson Bia Veterans Cemetery.
The family will receive friends and relatives at the Fort Defiance
Chapter House after services.
Bia died Feb. 17 in Phoenix. He was born Sept. 17, 1968, in Fort Defiance,
Ariz., into the Honeycomb Rock People for the Tobacco People, Red
Running into the Water People clans.
His hobbies included fishing, reading and listening to music.
Survivors include his daughter, Kasey Perkins; mother, Lula M. Bia;
and paternal grandmother, Mary Bia.
Bia was preceded in death by his father, Pfc. Michael H. Bia; grandparents,
Margaret and Howard Taliwood and William Bia.
Pallbearers will be Richard Taliwood Jr., Kenneth Todakonzie Jr.,
Larry Holden, Carl Bia, Patrick Laughlin, Alan Herragarra, Quancy
Taliwood, Kevin Todakonzie, Michael Holden, Shawn Bia, Monolito Williams
and Brandon Begaye.
Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Andy Harrison Tso
STANDING ROCK — Services for Andy Tso, 51, were held at 10 a.m.
today, Feb. 21, at Cope Memorial Chapel. The Rev. Neil Foerster officiated.
Burial followed on family land, Standing Rock.
Tso died Feb. 19 in Farmington. He was born Dec. 28, 1951, in Crownpoint
into the Towering House Clan for the Bitter Water Clan.
Tso was a carpenter by trade and raised livestock.
Survivors include his daughters, Laura A. Tso and Lorena A. Tso, both
of Gallup; mother, Nancy Tso of Standing Rock; brothers, Ernest Tso,
Wilbur Tso and Roger Tso, all of Standing Rock; sisters, Pauline Yanez
of California, Esther James of Brimhall, and Elaine Tso and Arlene
Tso, both of Standing Rock; and two grandchildren.
Pallbearers were family members.
Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Zonnie Ella Todachine
STEAMBOAT, Ariz. — Services for Zonnie Todachine, 86, will be
held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at the Church of the Latter-Day
Saints in St. Michaels. President Peter Yazzie will officiate. Burial
will be held on famly land, Steamboat.
Todachine died Feb. 15 in Chinle, Ariz. She was born July 19, 1914,
in Steamboat into the Edgewater People Clanfor the Bitter Water People
Clan.
Todachine atttended Fort Apache Indian School. She was a rugweaver
and homemaker. Her hobbies included doing crossword puzzles and canvas
cross-stitch.
Survivors include her son, Johnson R. Nelson of Steamboat; daughters,
Annie R. York of Chinle and Susie A. Todachine of Steamboat; brothers,
Fred Todachine of Dilcon, Frank Bahe and Taylor R. Todachine Sr. of
Steamboat; sister, Effie T. Curley of Steamboat; nine grandchildren
and one great-grandchild.
Todachine was preceded in death by her parents, Zonnie Bahe and Hosteen
Todachine; brothers, Clayton Begay, Sam Begay, Jack Todachine and
Hostine Yazzie; and sister, Mae K. Henderson.
Pallbearers will be Darrell Todachine, Gerrold Todachine, Shawn Mitchell,
James Fatheree, Leonard Clark and Jonathan Nelson.
The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services
at Todachine's residence.
Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
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