Lucy Caroline Hadley Rohovec

Lucy Caroline Hadley Rohovec died on October 25, 2007 in Las Cruces, NM. Lucy was born on December 27, 1915 in Odell, Illinois to Ray and Lucy Hadley. She was the eldest of four children and was still a child when the family moved to a farm near Clovis, NM. She graduated from Texico High School in 1932 and went to Albuquerque to work and attend the University of New Mexico, graduating in 1936. The following year she taught Home Economics and coached girls' basketball at San Jon, NM. While at the University, she met and fell in love with a fellow student, Marvin Rohovec. They married August 18, 1937 and moved to Clayton, NM where Marvin was teaching science. When the youngest of their four children entered school, Lucy launched a teaching experience unique for a small New Mexico town. She opened a private kindergarten in a room Marvin added to their home for that purpose. It was a room that was also perfect to host her Girl Scout troop (and lots of great parties!). The family moved to Alamogordo in 1963 when Marvin became Director of the branch college of New Mexico State University. Lucy taught at Alamogordo High School and served as a department head there. With classes in both Biology and Home Economics, Lucy met and set many challenges in curriculum. She created the first course in Home Economics for boys in the state of New Mexico (this course was fondly known as "Bachelor Know-How"). Lucy was an extraordinarily gifted teacher and many of her students remained in touch with her through the years. Lucy was a 65-year member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and an avid supporter of their many educational programs for women. After Marvin died in 2000, Lucy moved to Las Cruces and lived at University Terrace until her death. She is survived by her brother, John Hadley of Texico, NM; sister-in-law, Marion Rohovec Fleck of Las Cruces; four children and their families: Lee and Erika Rohovec and daughter, Anna Lee, of Alamogordo; Ann Rohovec of Las Cruces; John Rohovec and Linda Brewer of Silver City; and Jane and Jim Bowen of Austin, TX; by other grandchildren, Sherri Bowen and Bob Pierce, Kim and John Willis, all of Austin; by Brad Bowen and Erin Baker of Flagstaff, AZ; and by great-grandchildren, Leah and Mark Pierce. Lucy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Marvin; her brother Walter Hadley; her sister Vivian Utterback; and son-in-law Robert Neumann. She was greatly loved and will be missed by her family, many nieces and nephews and by friends from near and far. A Memorial Service celebrating Lucy's life will be held at Grace United Methodist Church in Alamogordo on Monday, November 5, 2007 at 11:00 am. Grace was her church home for over 40 years. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to the Rohovec Scholarship at NMSU-A. Gifts should be sent to the New Mexico State University Foundation, Inc., Office of Advancement, Box 3590, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, or to the educational charity of your choice. PDF Printable Version