Carol Piper

Carol Jaterka Piper died on Saturday, October 12, 2024. Carol Was born in the coal mining town of Dawson, New Mexico, the only child of Carlo and Rosie Jaterka. She was always proud to say that she was a coal miner's daughter. When the Dawson mines closed, the small family moved to Raton, New Mexico, where her father continued to work in the area mines. After graduating from Raton High School, she attended Colorado State University where she graduated with a major in English and a minor in education. She then returned to New Mexico and worked in the Albuquerque Public School system for thirty-nine years as an English teacher and an administrator. She earned her master's degree from the University of New Mexico; however, she always said that she loved teaching English more than administration because she felt she was able to touch lives in a more positive way. When she retired, she continued to enjoy reading, her book club, her dancing, her exercise, and her sports. She was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Braves, and Duke Blue Devils fan, and she would sit on her couch reading a book, looking up occasionally to watch Jeff Gordon circle a Nascar Track. She was not a great traveler, but she loved Hawaii and her favorite city, Las Vegas, Nevada. Always an animal lover, her last years were spent with her loved and spoiled Maltese, JJ.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Carlo and Rosie Jaterka; grandparents, Tony and Mary Jaterka; Pete and Angelina Andreoli; and other relatives. She is survived by many cousins and good friends.

According to Carol's wishes, there will be no services. She has received the blessing of the Catholic church; Cremation has taken place, and her ashes will be placed between the graves of her parents in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.