Kathleen B. Sutcliffe

1924-2016 Kathleen Sutcliffe, age 92, a loving mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 1, 2016 while visiting with friends at her memory care home in Albuquerque. She was born March 13, 1924 in Dexter, New Mexico to Ova Walter Phillips and Lillian Celena Duncan Phillips. After graduating from high school she was employed by the AT&SF Railroad as a telegraph operator and was posted at Abo, NM. During a shopping trip to Vaughn, NM she met the love of her life, Harold J. Sutcliffe, who also worked for the AT&SF Railroad. They were married December 12, 1944 and started a family. They remained in Vaughn until the mid-1960’s when the railroad moved them to Belen. After Harold’s passing Kathleen continued living in Belen until 2013 when she then moved to Albuquerque to be closer to family members. Kathleen’s home was always open to young people and animals and she doted and spoiled all her grandchildren. Few could beat her at cards or dice games and her sense of humor delighted many. She was an active member of the Church of Christ in Belen, the Westend Sewing Club and the Ladies Auxiliary of the United Transportation Union of which she serve as an officer numerous times. Her artistic side came out in her skills at sewing, knitting and crocheting with the beneficiaries being her grandchildren and residents of senior citizen homes in the area. She was from a large family with seven siblings all but one of which preceded her in death, LaVerene Grant, Gene Coats and Pete Phillips of Dexter, Sarah Staden and Patricia Johnson of Roswell, and Kirk Phillips of Whitedeer, Texas. The surviving sister is Betty Clemenza of Dexter. Kathleen is survived by her children, Joyce Smith of Little Rock. AR., Rosie Follis and Helen Regalado of Keller, TX, Dan and Pamela Sutcliffe of Albuquerque, Kathy and Kenny Evans of McIntoch, NM and LuGene and Buddy Blue of Portales, NM; grandchildren, Daniel (Melissa) Sutcliffe, Sarah (Adam) Longbotham, Ronnie Smith, Andrea (Ryan) Swinney, Kyle John (Venessa) Blue, Tamara (Trane) Wyatt, Rebecca (Greg) Aguilar, Benjamin Blue, Todd (Jennifer) Evans, Stephanie (Scott) Hagel, and Jennifer Regalado; and 24 great grandchildren. A Public Viewing will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2016, at Romero Funeral Home. A Grave side Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2016, at the Dexter-Hagerman cemetery in southeastern New Mexico. Pallbearers will be Daniel Sutcliffe, Kyle John Blue, Benjamin Blue, Adam Longbotham, Ryan Swinney, and Greg Aguilar. In lieu of flowers Kathleen has requested that donations be given to New Mexico Christian Children’s Home. Please sign Kathleen’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St. Belen, NM.

Kathleen B. Sutcliffe

March 13, 1924 - October 1, 2016