Loretta Annie (Griego) Dayringer

Loretta ‘Lora Anne’ (Griego) Dayringer, age 92, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away Sunday, August 23, 2020, at the Rio at Las Estancias. Loretta was born in 1927 in Gallup, New Mexico to Harlow and Betty Griego.

Shortly after graduating from Sacred Heart High School, Loretta was employed as a telephone switchboard operator in Gallup. Loretta married Andrew Nechesnoff in 1951. Although the marriage was short, a daughter, Cynthia Marie, was born. In 1953, she married Melvin Dayringer, with whom she had a son, Melvin James II. This marriage lasted 65 years and ended upon Mel’s death in 2018.

Because Mel was in the Army, Loretta was a military wife. This enabled her to travel throughout Europe during Mel’s assignments in Germany. Upon his retirement from the military, they returned to New Mexico—and to the mountains she loved.

Although she had no formal training, Loretta was a talented artist using oils and pastels. She was a gifted seamstress and also designed and created beaded jewelry. She accompanied Mel to many juried art and craft shows where she sold her jewelry creations.

Loretta was preceded in death by her husband, Mel Dayringer; her parents, Betty and Harlow Griego; a sister, Mary Balok; and a nephew, Tim Balok.

Loretta is survived by her son, Melvin James Dayringer II, of Albuquerque; her daughter, Cynthia (Dayringer) Sohl; her husband, Christopher, of Norman OK; two granddaughters, Laura Sohl-Smith, and her husband Jeff Smith, and Christal Sohl, and her husband Hans Aerni. She also is survived by her sister, Jeanette Schanuel, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Her family has entrusted her care FRENCH – University in Albuquerque. A Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 9, 2020, 10:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Service 11:00 a.m. at FRENCH - University with a private burial where she will be reunited with Mel at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

New Mexico St Library –LBPD (Library for the Blind and Print Disabled)

1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, NM 87507.