Mary "Katie" C. Bridwell

Mary C. "Katie" Bridwell, 86, of West Ural Drive, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away Friday, December 28, 2012 at her home. Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, January 2, 2013, 2:00 PM, at Emmanuel Gospel Church with Pastor Danialle Estrada officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Carlsbad Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Mary C. "Katie" Bridwell was born December 31, 1925 in Buffalo, New York to Frank and Jennie (Rogers) McNamee. She served her country in the US Navy for 3 years. Katie married Darrell W. Bridwell, Sr. March 24, 1951 in Corpus Christi, TX. After Darrell's retirement from the military, they moved to Carlsbad in 1969. Katie worked for the National Parks with Carlsbad Caverns for many years. She was an avid sports fan and always enjoyed watching the grandchildren play sports. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Darrell Bridwell, Sr.; two brothers and two sisters. Survivors are her son, Darrell Bridwell, Jr. of Carlsbad, NM; four daughters: Kristin McCarty and husband, Robert of Carlsbad, NM, Mary C. "Kitty" Crew and husband, Eldon of Carlsbad, NM, Jennie L. Hedrick of Carlsbad, NM, Lissa L. Nyrkkanen of Carlsbad, NM; grandchildren: R. Keith McCarty and wife, Jennifer, Michael McCarty and wife, Kelley, Danialle Estrada and husband, Tim, James Elliott, Patricia Allison and husband, Button, Ketty Williams and husband, Clayton, Lucas Hedrick and wife, Kathy, Chris Hedrick and Sara, Joshua Hedrick and wife, Patti, Samantha Nyrkkanen and husband, Hunter, Kendra Nyrkkanen, Katelynn Nyrkkanen, Scott Nyrkkanen, Christian Salcido, Chloe Salcido and Trent Bridwell; 28 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson; brother, Ray McNamee of New Jersey and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are Robert Keith McCarty, Michael McCarty, Joshua Hedrick, Lucas Hedrick, Scott Nyrkkanen and Chris Hedrick. Honorary pallbearers will be Trent Bridwell, Christian Salcido and James Elliott. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.