Augusta "Gussie" Helen (Syme) McNamara

Augusta Helen “Gussie” McNamara, 93, passed away peacefully the evening of Saturday, September 15, 2018, with her only grandson by her side. She joins her husband of 53 years, William “Bill” McNamara. Theirs was a true, mutual, “love at first sight” story.  Gussie was preceded in death by her parents, James and Helen Syme, and her brothers, Oscar Syme, and James William “Bill” Syme. She is survived by her daughter, Gale Lovato and husband, George Jr.; son, William “Frere” McNamara; grandson, Adrian McNamara and wife, Arwen; brother, Dave Syme and wife, Pat. Born in Denver on March 21, 1925, the family moved to Albuquerque when Gussie started at Washington Jr. High. She graduated from Albuquerque High and the University of New Mexico with an English teaching degree. Gussie enjoyed the simple things in life: caring for her children and grandson, playing the piano, fishing, sewing, cooking and baking, artistic endeavors, gardening, and later in life, the slot machines. She was loved by all, a force to be reckoned with, and the keeper of family history and stories.

Per her wishes, the Celebration of her life will be on Friday, September 21, 2018  at 10:00 a.m.at Chester T. French Memorial Mausoleum Chapel at Sunset Memorial Park 924 Menaul Blvd N.E. 87107. A gathering will follow for lunch and memories at the home of her daughter. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Assistance League of Albuquerque (of which she was a member), or a charity of your choice perhaps involving the things she loved; music, animals, and the outdoors.