My mother, Ella Mae Warner, passed away 12/22. Her funeral is 2/5. I am doing the eulogy. I have been handed a gift from God. My mom led an incredible life, and one of the things she did was take a memoir class. Her collected stories are around 500-700 pages. I had read some of them. Now I am reading each one, word by word . . . and rereading many of them. I know a great story when I see one. This one is beyond that, and well-written to boot. There’s no way I can do this justice if I don’t take this time. My mom is actually writing the eulogy, because much of it will be from her memoirs. I’ll do the best I can to keep up. I’ll post her eulogy when I get back. The service may be videotaped; my sister is making that decision. Here is the announcement I sent out:
My mom, Ella Mae Warner, passed away on December 22, 2025. She was born July 17, 1937 in Silverton, Colorado, the daughter of Enos and Edna May Michael. She had two brothers, Fred and Dickie, who have both passed away. She married my father, Ray Gore, in 1956. I was born in 1958 (after which, we moved to Los Alamos), my sister Judi in 1960, and my brother Jim in 1962.
Mom was a full-time mother for many years. She started a successful business in our home teaching the women of Los Alamos sewing techniques (she was an excellent seamstress). Later, she worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory and at several LANL contractors.
Mom and dad divorced in 1983. In 1995, mom married Charley Warner. They lived in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Charley died in 2007. On Thanksgiving, 2023, mom fell and broke her hip. She was unable to regain mobility and moved into a nursing home. She died peacefully at the nursing home.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, February 5, 10 a.m. at Rio Rancho United Methodist Church, 1652 Abrazo Rd NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Watermelon Ranch in Rio Rancho (www.wmranch.org) in memory of Ella Mae Warner. That is the no-kill animal shelter where mom got Yoda, her beloved dog. My brother and his wife, Cyndie, have been caring for Yoda and brought her to the nursing home to visit mom almost every weekend.
Everyone who knew my mother knows how much we are going to miss her. We hope you will be able to attend the service.
Robert
I am so sorry, Robert. Please accept my deepest condolences.
As your mother had such fine qualities, I do hope that your sadness will soon transform into beautiful memories.
Thank you.
“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable, can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.” — Fred Rogers
Saddened to hear of your loss Robert. That she was a good mother is evidenced by her children.
Chad
Thank you.
Prayers up.
Thank you.
Robert, my deepest sympathies to you and your sisters. She’ll always be near you. In your thoughts and memories.
Thank you.
Sorry for your loss. Have been through this as well. My mother died way too young.
Thanks.
Prayers for you and family. I was also born in 1958 and lost my mom a couple years ago. There is no greater advantage in life than having a great mom!
Thank you.