Nell A. Meize

Nell A. Meize, age 98, died peacefully in her sleep on September 28, 2020. A longtime resident of Farmington, NM, Nell spent the last 14 years living with one of her daughters, either in Omaha, NE, or Albuquerque, NM. The youngest of four children, Nell was born at home on May 28, 1922, in New Britain, CT, to Lithuanian immigrant parents, Anthony and Mary (Lesevicius) Ausanka. In addition to her parents, Nell was predeceased by her husband, Robert "Bob" (Miezlaiskis) Meize, brothers Algurdis "Frank" and Joseph Ausanka, sister Anne Matulis, and nephew James Matulis. Nell graduated from New Britain High School in 1939, and then Moody's Business School in New Britain. She subsequently worked as a professional secretary in a variety of business and service-oriented settings. Nell married Bob Meize at St. Andrew Catholic Church in New Britain in December 1949, and they moved to Colorado so he could complete his engineering degree from Colorado School of Mines in Golden. Nell worked for the USGS while Bob attended classes, and she fed many an engineering student during that time. Nell and Bob lived in Oklahoma and Texas, and started a family before settling down in Farmington, New Mexico. Nell was content being a homemaker and mom, but Bob died suddenly in 1962, leaving her to raise their three young children on her own. She returned to work as secretary in the Farmington Police Department Detective Division, the Animas Power Plant, and Farmington Public Schools, where she was employed for 22 years before retiring in 1987. Retirement kept Nell busy with serving as a member of the Women's Auxiliary at San Juan Hospital, San Juan College Cosmetology Program board member, attending daily Mass when possible, and traveling abroad with dear childhood friend, Carolyn (Recknagel) Blair. In their travels, Carolyn always said, "Nell has never met a stranger." A 33 year breast cancer survivor, Nell also volunteered for Reach for Recovery in her post-retirement years. Nell found much joy in planning and preparing meals and fed many friends and family over the years, as well as the parish priests and their visitors at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was an engaging hostess with an extraordinary smile. Nell loved her family and friends, and she cherished the time she spent with them. She will be dearly missed by all those who knew her. Nell leaves behind daughter Vicki Ruhsam and husband Von of Omaha, NE; daughter Robin Meize-Grochowski and husband Dan Grochowski of Albuquerque, NM; and son Bob Meize and wife Sherry of Magnolia, TX. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Leah and Matt Harms of Lincoln, NE, and great grandchildren Ella, Kate, Indi, and baby boy due in 2021; Heidi and Ryan Gratopp of Lincoln, NE, and great grandchildren Charlotte and Quinn; Mark Ruhsam of Omaha, NE; Alison and Matt Stewart of Albuquerque, NM, and great grandchildren Michael and Sebastian; Molly and Luke Crum of Austin, TX, and great grandchild Colton; Morgan and fiancé Jake Freiburger of Oklahoma City, OK; Alex and Ally Meize of Magnolia, TX; Billy and Tammy Clayburn of Houston, TX, and their children and grandchildren; five nieces, two nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and friends of all ages, all of whom she loved dearly. Nell had a tremendous love of the Lord, and her Catholic faith meant everything to her. It seems fitting that she peacefully went home to be with Jesus while staying in a loving, assisted living home called Touched by a White Dove in Albuquerque. She had been living there for the past seven months, lovingly cared for by Carmen and Curtis Hudson. Nell's family is thankful for her excellent Albuquerque health care providers, including Dr. Carla Herman, Dr. Monica Boehmer, the late Dr. Jack Saiki, and most recently Dr. Joy Lovett. A rosary was held on October 4, 2020, at Riverside Funeral Home, with Mass of Christian Burial on October 5, 2020, at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Albuquerque. Monsignor Bennett J. Voorhies celebrated Mass, with Fr. Graham Golden as concelebrant and homilist. Following cremation, Nell's final resting place will be in Farmington, NM, at the Sacred Heart Memorial Garden, when family and friends are able to gather there to celebrate Nell's life, hopefully sometime in 2021. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to Casa Angelica, 5629 Isleta Blvd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105 You may contact the family at [email protected]