Alyce Willis

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Lenore Alyce Coffelt Willis on February 19, 2010. She was born April 14, 1925 in Manitou, Oklahoma to Everett and Vera Coffelt. After graduating from Melrose High School, she received her Bachelor's degree from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales and went on to teach until she married. In 1947 she married Joe Willis after his return from the war. They started their married life in Albuquerque so that Joe could finish his education at UNM. After he graduated they moved to Espanola where he started teaching and mom stayed home to raise their family. In 1956, Mom and Dad moved to Carlsbad. In 1961 Mom returned to the classroom where she taught business courses at Carlsbad Senior High School. We're always running into someone who had mom as a teacher and appreciate hearing how much they liked her. It was surprising to her students that she could still remember them years after they graduated. After mom retired in 1981 you could find her at the country club a couple of times a week playing bridge. She also loved to read and putter around in the yard. When dad retired they set off to see all 50 states. They didn't see all of them, but had some of the best times of their lives traveling. When they were home, friends often dropped by for a visit or attended their Super Bowl parties. Their home was a welcoming place to many. She was preceded in death by her best friend and husband of 58 years, Joe Willis, an infant daughter, Kelly Jean, and her parents. Left to cherish her memories are her two daughters: Jo Pat Wellman (Forrest) and Jill Hadley (James). Her grandchildren: Robyn, Jennifer (Casey), Katy and her great grandchildren: Sebastian, Patricia, and Jonah will all miss her greatly. We would like to invite family, friends and former students to join us between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm on February 21, 2010 in mom's home at 1439 Desert Willow to celebrate her love of family and friends. There will be a family graveside service held in Melrose, NM. Flowers gratefully declined in lieu of donations to the Coach Joe and Alyce Willis scholarship fund through the Carlsbad Foundation, 116 South Canyon, Carlsbad, NM 88221-9989. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com Mom, as we look back... As we look back on our lives we find ourselves wondering... Did we remember to thank you for all that you have done for us? For all of the times you were by our side to help us celebrate our successes and accept our defeats? Or for teaching us the value of hard work, good judgment, courage, and honesty? We wonder if we've ever thanked you for the simple things...The laughter, smiles, and quiet times we've shared? If we have forgotten to express our gratitude...For any of these things, We are thanking you now...and we are hoping that you've known all along, how very much you were loved and appreciated. Author Unknown