Nona Samora

Leonorcita “Nona” Samora, 88 of Fort Sumner, NM died Friday, January 26, 2007 at Laurelview Care Center in Albuquerque following an illness. Nona was born October 6, 1918 in Ricardo, NM the daughter of Emiliano Gauna and the former Claudia Sandoval. She was reared and attended school at Ricardo. Nona married Jose Nicholas Samora on November 9, 1936 in Santa Rosa, NM. They made their home in Yeso for many years where her husband was employed for the Santa Fe Railroad. They moved to Fort Sumner in 1957. Nona was a homemaker, she also worked at the Pecos Valley Care Center in Fort Sumner for 17 years. She was a devout member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner, she enjoyed caring for her flowers, embroidery and loved to read, especially her bible. Nona was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was a great source of encouragement to her family, especially her grandchildren. Nona was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jose Nicholas Samora in 1979; two daughters a daughter who died in infancy and Eloisa Samora who died in 1999; three brothers Pat Gauna, Eloy Gauna, and Eugene Gauna; three sisters Rosa Mares, Lucille Gauna, Maria Barela, and two grandchildren Lucia Levario and Ronald Levario. Survivors include five daughters Aurora Levario of Clovis; Leticia Webb and husband Jerry of Fort Sumner; Cecilia Miller and husband Gene of Lubbock, TX; Geraldine Conklin of New York Long Island; and Corrine Marez and husband Guillermo of Albuquerque; five sons Nick Samora and wife Louisa of Portales; Raymond Samora of Fort Sumner; Lucio Samora and wife Anna of Fort Sumner; Sonny Samora and wife Leona of Clovis; and Manuel Samora and wife Cecelia of Albuquerque. Also surviving are two sisters Fabiola Sena and husband R.T. of Fort Sumner and Cora Barela of Clovis one brother Enriques Gauna and wife Cleo of Friona, TX along with 41 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren. Rosary services will be held at 7:00 P.M. Sunday, January 28, 2007 from St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon on Monday, January 29, 2007 from the church with Father Jerry Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren Kelly Stoner,Mae Cortese, Tony Samora, Richard Griego, Ryan Samora, Christopher Samora, Juan Levario, Paul Webb, Manuel Samora Jr., Chad Samora, Guill Marez Jr., Donnie Romero, Nick Samora Jr., and Raymond Joe Samora. Honorary bearers will be all her grandchildren. Visitation will be Sunday from 1PM to 6PM at the funeral home and Monday from 11AM to Noon at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner.