Katherine G Pyell

Katherine Grace Pyell, 74 of Albuquerque, NM, passed away on October 30, 2018 from ALS.  Kathy was born in Mangum, OK, the oldest of 11 children. She attended Holy Ghost Grade School and graduated from St. Pius X High School, in Albuquerque.  She then attended the College of St. Joseph on the Rio Grande.

Kathy was married to Eugene (Gene) Pyell on October 24, 1992, and they were married 25 years.  Kathy cared for her family and held a number of different jobs, most notably she was the Book Clerk at Sandia High School for a number of years.  Kathy never met a stranger, only friends she hadn’t gotten to know yet.  She loved people, and she loved animals.  She will be remembered for her beautiful smile and infectious laugh.  She always saw the humor in life’s absurdities, and she loved a good joke.

Kathy is survived by her husband Gene Pyell; son Aaron Jaramillo and wife, Aimee; daughter Kerry de Vore and husband, Andrei; grandchildren Samantha Varoz and husband Gabe, Kenzie Jaramillo, and Ellie Jaramillo; brother Mike Herndon and his wife Louann Feldmann; brother Phil Herndon and his dog Goliath; sister Mary Kuehn; brother Tim Herndon and his wife Sarah Mann; brother Tomas Herndon and Nancy Musinski; sister Amber Herndon; and brother Paul Herndon and his wife, Lynne, as well as numerous other family and friends.  Kathy is preceded in death by her parents Charles and Dorine Herndon; brother Donald Herndon; and sisters Ann Herndon and Margaret Wilfehrt.

The family of Kathy Pyell wishes to thank the staff at Hospice of New Mexico; the ALS Association, New Mexico Chapter; VieMed; AMG Specialty Hospital and Presbyterian Hospital for their care and support throughout Kathy’s illness.  The family extends a special thank you to her long-time care giver, Lorrie Guerrero.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the ALS Association, New Mexico Chapter or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.  A Celebration of Life observance will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the parish hall of Immanuel Lutheran Church at 300 Gold Ave. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102.