Obituary - Gretchen (Nicholson) Davenport

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Valencia County, NM News-Bulletin

Gretchen Davenport
1934-2007

Gretchen Davenport of Los Lunas was born and raised a farm girl her first 18 years outside Waynoka, Okla. She moved to Wichita, Kan., in 1953 to attend business college. King entered her life in 1953 on his return from the Korean War. They married six months later and started their family, the first being twin daughters. Two more girls came to her.

Gretchen was born a Libra — meaning balance of the scales, which she did very well. She was always a warm, loving and caring person who enjoyed life to the fullest.

Gretchen fought cancer with the greatest determination and spirit possible and did not leave her family voluntarily; she passed away on Dec. 31.

Gretchen benefited from the care of a number of tremendous family and friends this past year and especially friends Rosie Cox and Valerie Waller. But of all those who cared for her, no one quite handled the job the way her husband, King, did. His constant love, devotion, support and care through this ordeal gave Gretchen a richer and fuller life in time of sickness and health.

She was preceded in death by her father, Albert Nicholson; her mother, Gladys; two sisters, Geneva Boman and LaVaun Boman; and a brother, Gerald Nicholson.

Surviving her are her husband, King Davenport of Los Lunas; daughters, Valerie Smith and husband, Jerry, of Los Lunas, Victoria Farris and husband, Neil, of Nampa, Idaho, and Judy Brooks and husband, Mark, of Los Lunas; a sister and brother-in-law, LeJoy and John Maxwell; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She will be buried next to her parents in Oklahoma.

Gretchen's family will receive friends for light refreshments at Grace Fellowship Church, 3384 Highway 47 in Los Lunas, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8, to celebrate her life with far more laughs than tears and pronounce themselves lucky for having had the opportunity to be a part of Gretchen's life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Gretchen's name to Grace Fellowship Church Dance Team (Rejoice), P.O. Box 448 Los Lunas 87031. Arrangements by Riverside Funeral Home, of Belen, 418 W. Reinken Ave.