Mary Elizabeth (Conlon) Derr

Mary Elizabeth Conlon Derr, of Corrales, NM, passed peacefully on Monday, December 28, 2020. Born in Chicago, IL, on March 16, 1930, to James and Marie Conlon, Mary lived a full and happy life. Mary’s upbringing was poor in currency, but rich in love, starting with the love of and between her parents. Mary was proud of her Croatian and Irish heritage and would often share stories of the earlier generation. She carried many beautiful memories throughout her life, including her first job out of high school working as an administrative secretary in the Paint Department at Sears, and going out with friends in the evening to hear live music. She even landed a great gig as an usher at the Shubert Theatre in Chicago, hearing great performers, including Frank Sinatra.

Then, in 1953, Mary Conlon met Carl Derr. After a courtship, they married in 1954, and lived in and around the Chicago area. In 1962, Mary, Carl, and their brood of five, moved to El Paso, TX. Mary was a proud supporter of her husband’s lifelong activism in his union, SMART Local 49, and continued that support of unions throughout her life. She was a devout Catholic and a lifelong Democrat who could tangle with the best of them when it came to the 2020 presidential elections.

Mary had a wonderful sense of humor, loved the written word, gardening, bridge, her four-legged pals, Joey and Dylan, and of course, her family and many friends. Mary was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Carl. She is survived by her three daughters, Virginia Stewart and husband Jack, of Anthony, TX, Judi Borth and husband Larry, of Gatesville, TX and Connie Derr and partner Felix Navarro, Jr., of Corrales, NM; two sons, Glenn Derr and wife Lorie, of Tucson, AZ, and Gary Derr and wife Christi, of Boulder, CO; eight grandchildren, Travis Borth and fiancé Leslie Hopp, of Minneapolis, MN, Ashley Pardo and husband Evan of Gatesville, TX, James Derr of South Korea, Maura Derr of Phoenix, AZ, Patrick Derr of Denver, CO, and Bryan, Michael and Anastasia Derr, of Boulder CO; and great-granddaughter, Aspyn Pardo, of Gatesville, TX. She is also survived by an extended family of nieces and nephews. A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at a later date. If so inclined, please support Mary’s advocacy for the homeless and animal rescues.