Evelyn Beatrice Salace Curtis Losack

Losack, Evelyn C.
Evelyn Beatrice Salce Curtis Losack (86) of Corrales, New Mexico left us to join her husband of 54 years and direct choirs in heaven on January 10, 2016.  Evelyn grew up on the farm in Corrales where she took her final breath.
Evelyn earned her Fine Arts Music Degree with a concentration in Voice at the University of New Mexico and her Music Specialists Certification at UNM, the University of Albuquerque and the University of Texas at El Paso.  She also had extensive Orff Schulwerk training through the El Paso Public Schools.
She was a private teacher of piano, voice, and music theory for 62 years.  She taught in public and private schools for 18 years, was a Life Member and Nationally Certified by National Association of Music Teachers, a Member of Professional Music Teachers of New Mexico and received many awards from and held offices in Sigma Alpha Iota - a women's professional international music fraternity.
Evelyn dedicated her life to the education of children through music.  62 of her 86 years were spent in the education field.  Along with any music lesson came lessons in morals and environmental protection.  She taught music since she was 20 years old, either in her own studio, in public, private, or parochial schools and was Music Supervisor for five elementary schools.  Her first public school teaching experience was with the Bernalillo Public Schools as an itinerant music teacher.  She was pregnant then with her first child (who is currently teaching music for APS).  Mrs. Losack was very active in the Texas and the New Mexico Music Teachers Associations.
She helped to start the Tri-State Opera Guild in El Paso in the 60's.  She was the Texas Convention Chair, El Paso Texas Music Teachers Association Concerto Contest Chair for 10 years, and EPMTA Student Affiliate Chair for five years.  As President of the EPMTA, she organized 700 piano students for a 50 piano Ensemble Festival three years in a row!
Several of her students won or placed at the Professional Music Teacher's of New Mexico (aka New Mexico Music Teacher's Association) Honors and Junior Competition over the years.  Evelyn also had numerous students who either placed or won both at the Central District and State levels.
In New Mexico, Evelyn was Professional Music Teacher's Certification Chair for 13 years.  Her private music students did vignettes of the “Los Corrales Pageant” which she and her family produced twice.  She taught music until a couple of months ago.  She did this between farming and all her other organizational tasks.  She was President of UNMs College of Fine Arts Alumnae Board for one term and served on the board for 8 years.
She was the Musical Director for masses at San Ysidro Parish in Corrales and in El Paso churches for 62 years and performed with many choirs, plays, operas, and organizations over the years.
She used to organize tickets and transportation for the local community children to attend the Santa Fe Opera Youth Nights every year.  One year she managed to arrange for over 312 students and their parents to attend.
The annual St. Nick's Night in Corrales (initiated in 1987), a family night filled with fun and music, was organized by Mrs. Losack and is still very active in its continuation.  She finally managed to turn over the organization to others recently, but they requested her presence by St. Nick anyway.  Somehow it just wasn't the same without her.
She was a very active member of the Corrales Cultural Arts Council.  Evelyn pulled this organization into existence with the help of others in the community.  In 1987 and 1989, Evelyn served as President of the Corrales Historical Society.  As President of the Corrales Historical Society, she initiated the Corrales Cultural Arts Council.  She made certain that any child who wanted to attend would be provided tickets - even if it came out of her own pocket.
Some of the Music Awards Evelyn received over the years:
► Music Teacher of the year (El Paso Music Teacher's Association (1967)
► Honored because of work with the Santa Fe Opera Youth Programs since 1980 and the Albuquerque Opera Guild
► She was the voted Music Teacher of New Mexico in the Fall of 2000 by the Professional Music Teacher's of New Mexico (PMTNM)
► In June of 2000, a 50-year Gold Certificate was presented to Evelyn for her work with Sigma Alpha Iota, a professional Music Fraternity for Women
► Received the Ring of Excellence (highest award in the organization) from Sigma Alpha Iota National for her work above and beyond for the furtherment of music education
In addition to music, Evelyn and her husband, Johnnie (until his death in 2003), maintained a fruit orchard and gardens in Corrales since 1980.  They both had a dedicated passion for a green productive environment.  She organized and/or participated in many Growers' Markets over the years in Albuquerque, Village of Los Ranchos, Rio Rancho, and Corrales areas.  She made fruit leather, preserves and pies - besides the sale of fruits, vegetables, herbs and nuts - the most famous being her pies.  Many hundreds of ribbons were awarded to her for entering produce for years at the State Fair.
She founded the annual Corrales Harvest Festival in 1985.  She made certain that there was music there, too - besides having two to three fruit booths going in different locations at the same time (a family affair).
She served on the Board of the Farm Preservation Committee and the Agricultural Outreach Committee of the State's Middle Rio Grande Valley.
Evelyn and Johnnie received commendations from the Village, State and other organizations for their efforts.
► In 1997, they were honored by the Corrales Historical Society for the work they did on the Historic Old Church.
► In October 1999, they were voted the “Farmers of the Year” by the Corrales Harvest Festival.
► They were awarded the Partners Award from Sandoval County Board of Commissioners in 2000.
► They were honored by the Corrales Grower's Market (which they initiated in 1993, starting with 3 vendors to 80 by 2008).
► Honored by the Corrales Library for Assistance with Library Activities.
► Honored by the Corrales Historical Society as president for 3 years.
► Honored by the Corrales Historical Society Docent Program for yearly work on the preservation of the Historic Old Church.
► New Mexico State Fair - the Chile Ristra Tying Demonstrator since 1995 following her mother, Dulcelina Curtis.  Evelyn was the demonstrator for nearly 24 years (including 2015).
► Recognition Award from the New Mexico State Senate for Outstanding Community Service.
► Honors from the NM Commission on the Status of Women in 2003.
No one can remember a time when Evelyn and Johnnie had not voted when the polls were open.  They vigorously campaigned for several politicians over the years - those who supported Evelyn and Johnnie's ideals, that is.
Evelyn was appointed to the Corrales Water Advisory Board by then Mayor Gasteyer.  She just couldn't refuse.
Evelyn's influence extend(s/ed)
….to her family - her childrens' support; sustained and promoted the arts in the schools, colleges and at UNM.  Her daughter is a professional musician currently employed at the Albuquerque Public Schools and teaching privately (also a member of SAI); her grandchildren are active in drama, dance and music.  The family has lived in, worked in and for, and supported the Village of Corrales for six generations now - Evelyn being in the third generation.
….to her church - besides being the musical director, her interest in history and architecture promoted the renovation and restoration of the Old San Ysidro Church.
….to her community - she has been referred to by many as “Mrs. Corrales”.  This title is well deserved and all the things that one may imagine really go into that title.
….to her students of piano, voice and ensembles.
She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Trafton; daughter Joneve Losack Bender and son-in-law, Gary; son Mark Losack and his wife, Veronica; son Vincent Losack; grandson Christopher Losack and wife, Michelle; granddaughter Nicole Freidt and her husband, Arnell; grandson Jeffery Bender and wife, Brandi; granddaughter Carol Bender; grandsons Brandon, Garret, and Lorin Losack; great-grandchildren Isabella and Alex Freidt, Sydney and Logan Losack, and soon to be McKayla Quinn Bender; and numerous cousins and in-laws in New Mexico and Texas.
A Rosary and viewing will be held at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 12th, 2016, at San Ysidro Church (5015 Corrales Road).  The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 13th, 2016, at the same church followed by hay wagon rides to the San Ysidro Cemetery with a reception following interment at Hendren Hall (behind the church - wagon rides back).
In lieu of flowers, Evelyn requested that you please make a donation to a missionary hospital of your choice. To view information or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com  
Daniels Family Funeral Services
4310 Sara Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-892-9920