Jessica Jean Savage

Jessica Jean Savage peacefully entered eternal rest on December 3, 2023, while lovingly surrounded by all of her children and grandchildren.

Jessica was born June 6, 1957, in Calambrone, Pisa, Italy to Jesse E Savage and Esther Irene McDermott Savage. Jess and Esther were living in Italy while Jess was serving in the United States Navy. From Italy, the family moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico where Jessica spent most of her childhood and adult life. She graduated from Las Cruces High School and later, as a single mother, she earned her Bachelor’s in Journalism and Master’s in Rhetoric and Professional Communication from New Mexico State University. Jessica was a lifelong fan of her alma mater, cheering for both the LCHS Bulldogs and NMSU Aggies.

Jessica was an accomplished writer who worked for many years at the Deming Headlight and was published in New Mexico Magazine as well as various other publications. She was an active member of the New Mexico Press Women Association where she served as chair of the Scholarship and Zia Award committees. Jessica enjoyed learning about and documenting life stories and had dreams of eventually publishing a book.

For the last 11 years, Jessica served the students of NMSU as the scholarship advisor for the College of Arts and Sciences where she helped countless students achieve their goals of attending college. Before working at NMSU, Jessica made many other professional connections through her work at White Sands Missile Range.

Jessica was proud of her four children and two grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling to visit them where they lived around the country in California, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Arizona and Florida.

Jessica was preceded in death by her parents Jess and Esther Savage. She is survived by her four children Felicia Rivas, Angela Rivas, David Rivas, and Joseph Rivas, two grandchildren Alden Rivas and Natalie Rivas, siblings Jerry Savage, Jay Savage, and Joyce Halfmann.

Viewing will be open to the public on Thursday December 7, 2023, from 2:00 - 3:00 at Getz Funeral Home. The funeral service will take place on Thursday December 7, 2023, at 3:00 pm at Getz Funeral Home 1410 E. Bowman Ave. Jessica and her family welcome all who knew and loved her to join in remembering and celebrating her life.

An avid sky watcher, Jessica was planning a trip to see the total solar eclipse in Texas with friends. When you look up at the sky on April 8th, know that you’re sharing that experience with Jessica’s spirit and everyone who loved her.