Patricia G. Halsell

HALSELL -- Patricia G. Halsell, age 61, a lifelong resident of the Hatch area died at her home in Rincon, NM, Sunday, March 31, 2002. She was born in Hatch, New Mexico, August 18, 1940 to Edwin and Anita Gary. Patty was raised and attended Hatch Valley Schools and graduated in 1958. She attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology in 1963. In 1962, she was named Outstanding Senior Woman at the University of New Mexico. Patty worked in several hospitals in New Mexico and other states as a medical technologist. She and Bill returned to the Rincon Valley in 1971 and began farming to establish their pecan orchards. Patty joined the Hatch Valley School District as a high school science teacher in 1981 and continued until her retirement in 1997. She had been a volunteer emergency medical technician with Hatch Ambulance for several years and served on the Ben Archer Health Center Board of Directors. She served as church pianist and church officer at St. John's United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Community Choir and Hatch Public Library Board. She is survived by husband Billy D. Halsell, married since August of 1963; their two daughters, Anne Marie Gentile and husband, Daniel L. of Cincinnati, Ohio and Joan Elizabeth Stasi and husband, Frank A. Stasi, Jr. of Los Lunas, N.M. Other survivors include nieces and nephews, Sgt. Robert D. Halsell and wife, Jeannene, Kathryn Anderson and husband, Dave, Jessie Newton and husband, Jim, Tammy Gates, Jay Gates and wife, Colleen; her sister, Joe Ellyn Walker and husband, Roger; brother-in-law Tom Halsell and wife, Barbara. Patty was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Anita Gary. Cremation has take place. The family asks that donations be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 E. Montana, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005.