Ansel Louise Roney

Ansel Louise Roney passed away unexpectedly on Monday morning, February 26, 2024. Ansel was born on October 5, 1953 in Roswell, New Mexico, She was named "Ansel" in honor of her mother's maiden name. She grew up in the farming community of Cottonwood near Artesia. After graduating from high school, she attended McMurry College in Abilene, Texas for two years, then transferred to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona in order to pursue a career in interior design.

Shortly after graduation, she moved to Albuquerque, where she worked for two of Albuquerque's leading interior designers, Modesta Comeford and Ann Meriney. Under their mentorship she developed business skills and an incredible eye for color and placement. In early 2000 she founded her own business, Ansel's Interiors, which she has operated for the past 24 years. In the course of her career, she served for a time as president of the Albuquerque chapter of the International Society for Interior Design and was several times selected "Albuquerque's Best" interior designer by readers of the Albuquerque Journal.

In her interactions with builders and other contractors, she knew how to define boundaries tactfully, treating all with genuine respect. In personal demeanor Ansel was patient and understanding, and had an ability to find the positive in almost everyone. She used a rolodex through her entire career and always preferred a personal telephone call rather than email. Many of her clients became personal friends, and at Christmas all received hand-made cards.

Ansel gave freely of both time and spirit. She was active in PEO, an organization that offers scholarships and low interest loans to women pursuing education, and also did volunteer work for Saranam, a local charity whose mission is to empower families to end homelessness and poverty through housing, education, and supportive communities. Ansel had a remarkable ability to connect with people, and her close friends included people from all walks of life.

Ansel knew how to tell a funny story, and had an infectious laugh. She loved to spend time with her extended family, and was devoted to her many dogs. Her creative outlets included sculpture, watercolors, and oil painting. She was adventurous, and from time to time traveled with friends and family to far away places such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Morocco, Costa Rica, and Oaxaca.

The day preceding her death she had lunch with a close friend, and together they toured an open house in Albuquerque. Later she had a good telephone conversation with her brother, and had facetime conversations with close friends in Texas, and with another dear friend in Georgia. Her last full day on earth was filled with love and friendship, and in that we find some solace.

Ansel was preceded in death by her parents Wirt and Mary Roney, and is survived by her brother and his wife, John and Rudi Roney who also live in Albuquerque, and by her three cousins and their families, Mary Kay Schick of North Platte, Nebraska, Ben Ansel of Roosevelt, Utah, and Patrick Ansel of Dumas, Texas.

Donations in her memory may be made to Saranam (https://saranamabq.org/)