Ann F. Hancock

˜Ann F. Hancock, age 89, a 30 year resident of Belen, NM, passed away on Friday, February 25, 2011. She was born in Koehler, NM, a coal-mining camp near Raton, NM, to Nick and Helen (Starkovich) Pavletich. She grew up in Raton and graduated from St. Patrick’s High School. Ann later moved to Albuquerque, where she trained as a registered nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Nursing School. She enjoyed a full career as a nurse. Ann worked in Trinidad, CO, and at various hospitals in New Mexico in the years following her graduation from St. Joseph’s. In 1943, she entered service to the United States Navy, where she served as a First Lieutenant during WWII. In 1953, Ann moved to Gallup, NM, with her husband, Bill Hancock and daughters, Mary Ellen and Ann Frances. While in Gallup, Ann and her family were members of the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish and where Ann implemented and ran until the time of her retirement, a full medical dispensary for the Untied States Army ordinance depot at Fort Wingate. Ann and her husband moved to Belen in 1982 upon their retirement, where Ann continued her nursing work as a volunteer to Belen’s seniors, offering a free blood pressure screening program, and as well she served for a time on the hospital board. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nick and Helen (Starkovich) Pavletich; daughter, Ann Frances; sister, Mary Hill and brothers, George, Bob and John Casick and Martin Pavletich. Ann is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Bill Hancock; daughter, Mary Ellen Hancock and brother, Nick Pavletich. Ann loved her life in Belen, where she and her husband were devoted parishioners of Our Lady of Belen Parish. She never tired of driving valley roads and reflecting with wonder on the beauty of the fields, the animals, rivers, mountains and sky. A visitation will be held at Romero Funeral Home Chapel, on Tuesday, March 1, at 6:00 p.m. with a rosary to be held at 6:30 p.m. A final visitation will be held at Our Lady of Belen Parish on Wednesday, March 2, at 10:30 a.m. with Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Raton, NM, at a later date. Ann’s family wishes to thank Ambercare Hospice and their service teams, Dr. Richard Madden, Our Lady of Belen Parish and Staff, Romero Funeral Home and Staff, and especially the friends and neighbors of Ann and Bill who have graced their lives with love, warmth and support. Sign Ann’s online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

Ann F. Hancock

February 28, 2011