We are sorry to hear about the passing of one of our contest Winner “Call for Artist ” Deborah JoAnne Weaver. We are sending prayers and our deepest condolent wishes to her sister Denise Weaver Ross, who is one of our resident artist in the Gallery.
Denise Weaver Ross about her sister :
Deborah JoAnne Weaver, 63, of Albuquerque, NM, passed away suddenly on December 12, 2017 after a long struggle with multiple medical conditions. She is survived by her daughter, Sarah Parker, of Omaha NE as well as her sister Denise Weaver Ross and mother JoAnne Weaver of Albuquerque NM, her nephews Colin Alexander Ross and Nicholas Ross, and countless extended family members and friends.
Deborah was born in Duluth, MN. Her family relocated to Milwaukee, WI, when she was in grade school and later moved to Oconomowoc, WI. She graduated from Oconomowoc High School in 1972, received a B.S. in Biology in 1976 from Wheaton College, IL. She went on to teach the children of Wycliffe Bible Translators in Mexico City for a couple of years before returning to the U.S. where she received her Masters in Linguistics at the University of North Dakota in Fargo. She then to moved to Dallas, TX, where she began her community college teaching career, married and relocated to Albuquerque, NM where she completed her course work for a doctoral degree, and adopted her beloved daughter, Sarah Parker.
While raising her daughter, she worked for many years at TVI (now known as CNM) teaching English among other subjects, started a strategic management business, and worked as the COO at Kirtland Credit Union, where she led their Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award process which achieved Kirtland’s 2008 Zia Award. During her time at Kirtland she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer and began focusing on cancer-survivor support groups and creative endeavors. She was a member of the New Grounds Print Workshop, revived her life long interest in fiber arts, and provided marketing support to Little Bird de Papel on Mountain Road. She also showed her creative work at New Grounds and Tortuga Gallery in Albuquerque, and at Jana’s RedRoom in Las Vegas.
Her family and friends are holding an informal Memorial Luncheon at Tortuga Gallery, 901 Edith SE, in Albuquerque on Wednesday, December 20 from Noon until 3p.m. Please bring memories and food to share.