Mary Louise Parks Dye

Mary Louise Parks Dye was a 20 year resident of Tularosa, New Mexico .She passed away January 23, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family.

Mary Louise Parks was born June 16, 1924 in Laplata County, Colorado to George and Chrysella Waldner Parks at her grandparent's ranch along the Florida River northeast of present day Lemon Reservoir. She was the granddaughter of Laplata County, homesteaders Alois and Rosa Roracher Waldner and Samuel and Lydia Bishop Parks. Mary attended rural Laplata County schools starting at cascade, and then went to Columbus while living at the Parks ranch on the Pine River. She attended school through the 8th grade as many of her generation did, and later obtained her GED after her children started school. Mary spent her first fifty years in rural Laplata County before moving to Phoenix, Arizona to be near her daughter Diana and granddaughter Kathryne Reese and their family. She spent seven years in Arizona before returning to Colorado. She lived in the Rifle/Parachute area for 14 years. She retired in 1995 after working in food services at several hospitals including Mercy Hospital in Durango, Good Samaritan in Phoenix, and Clagett Memorial in Rifle. In July 1995 she moved to Tularosa, New Mexico to spend her retirement years near her daughter Esther and family but returned to Colorado each summer to visit family.

Mary is survived by her children Diana Conklin of Phoenix, AZ, Chrysella Campbell of Grand Junction, CO, Barbara Dye of Durango, Carol Hall (Ed Walker) of Tularosa, Skeeter Schmitz (Buddy) of Regina, New Mexico, Dolores Cugnini (Mark Dickson) of Durango, Esther Bridge (Jimmy) of Tularosa, Pauline Dye of Durango, and Thomas Dye, of Penrose, Colorado. She is also survived by nineteen grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren, eight great-great grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Mary loved the outdoors, and enjoyed many outdoor activities including camping and fishing. She traveled throughout the western United States, Canada, and Alaska. Mary's hobbies included crocheting, quilting, gardening, canning, reading, photography, and working jig saw puzzles. She was independent and lived in her own home but loved spending time with her family.

The Dye family has entrusted their loved one to the care of PCS Direct Cremation Service to direct the arrangements.

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