Lea Annette Yoder

Lea Yoder beautiful Spouse, Friend, Mother, Teacher, Nurse at the early age of 54 left our presence November 4, 2013. Lea was cared for by her family in her home as she lived her last hours fighting Pancreatic Cancer. Lea was a long time resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico where she worked for more than 30 years as a Registered Nurse. She was employed by Brown Mackie College of Albuquerque as a respected Nursing Instructor with the greatest of skill. She was the bravest of souls, strongest of friends and dedicated mother. She leaves us with a legacy of perseverance and a stronghold of kindness. Lea was born June of 1959 in Madison Indiana. As a child Lea grew up in Madison Indiana and then in Las Cruces New Mexico. She enjoyed her early years with her six siblings, Tony Facemire, Mark Facemire, Mike Facemire, Chris Facemire, Dawn Shelly Adamson and Shauna Zorn. Lea enjoyed her life with her nearest and dearest friend and spouse Phil Reyes. Together they listened to Jazz, enjoyed cooking, camping, boating, shooting and most of all riding their motorcycles together. Their favorite places to ride were Sturgis South Dakota, Southern Colorado in the Mountains near Corona New Mexico and the Beautiful Blue Water Lake. Lea attended high school in Las Cruces New Mexico, attended The University of Phoenix where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Nursing, She also attended Western Governor’s and earned a Master’s Degree in Nursing Education and became a Board Certified Nurse Administrator. Lea was a phenomenal nurse as she cared first for her patients and their families. She cared so intensely for her patients that many of them would ask and wait just for her as she was the only one they trusted to do the job. She was dedicated 125% to her Nursing vocation and advocated for the patient no matter what the personal cost. She worked in the Albuquerque Nursing community for over 30 years and contributed to areas such as Emergency Room Care, Hospice Care, Long Term Care, Nurse Educator and Wound Care Nurse. Her patients and families always received love and affection as well as the utmost competent care; they were truly blessed to be a recipient of her tenderness and competence. Lea loved Nursing and worked tirelessly to give back to our Nursing Profession as she organized and conducted fund raisers for Cancer patients and advocated for the Cancer Center here in Albuquerque. As a Nursing Instructor Lea spent many hours preparing her lessons and sharing her experiences as a nurse in a hope to train the most competent Nurses. Her students loved her and eagerly soaked up all of her stories and wisdom. Her students shared that her legacy was one of determination and dedication to her vocation she taught them to persevere, stick with it and to never give up. She taught them through her words and example that anything can be accomplished if you want it badly enough. She leaves us with the legacy that what ever you put your mind to you can accomplish despite the odds. During the course of her treatment for this horrible cancer she completed her Masters Degree in Nursing Education and was committed to her students to the very end of her life. She would see each of them complete their journey with the utmost competence and perseverance. Many of her faculty and colleagues at the college did not know she was sick as she held her head up high shoulders back and worked without complaint. Her demeanor at work was always one of caring and she carried an air of quiet calm which was contagious. She was well loved and respected as she worked with faculty for the good of the students who were in trusted to her care. Lea was the devoted mother to four children Lindsey Elizabeth Spellman, Keith Anthony Hutson, Breana Lea Thigpen and Logan Edward Hutson.. Lea’s Children refer to her as a ROCK STAR, Super woman and the best mother ever. Lea’s grandchildren included Tona Thigpen, Cody Thigpen, Tyler Thigpen, Dylan Hankinson, David Hankinson, Victoria Spellman, Natalie Hutson, Zachary Hutson, Dorian Hutson and Dylan Hutson. Great-grandchildren Zoey Garcia-Hankinson and Oliver David Lea Hankinson. She is survived by her aunt Charlotte Facemire and her daughter Susan Campbell-Otero. Lea was well loved and is survived by numerous friends of many years including but not limited to Colleen Wakefield, Robin Bombgartner, Mack McLaughlin, Dave and Amy Faucett, Deb Grasser, Montana Bill, Jean from Malarkey’s, Harry and Toni McGovern, Susan Morgan, Mary Hauser and Anita Clement and many, many more. Beloved Pets Scout and Sandi. A Remembrance Service will be held on Friday, November 8, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas Chapel, with service will be officiated by Normand Poulin. Interment will will at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation, www.nmcancercenterfoundation.org. The family would like to express a special thank you to Coleen Wakefield who worked tirelessly and committed her time to the care of her beloved friend Lea during the final fight to the finish. To the many friends and neighbors who stopped by with food and kind words of condolence and prayers. To the New Mexico Cancer Center for their continued care and financial support afforded to Lea during her arduous treatments. To Genteva Hospice Care, To Jean from Malarkey’s for the Fund raising rally’s and rides she sponsored. Beauty, Loving-kindness, Bravery are three words to sum up this life. Lea you will forever be missed.