Nelmah Dunham (Dunham) Syler

Nelmah Syler, 88. Our beloved wife, daughter, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, after a long illness. She will go directly to cremation and a short Memorial Service will be conducted by her long-time minister, Dewey Johnson, for the immediate family. Nelmah was born in Phoenix Arizona and lived there until her marriage to Ron Syler in 1952. She had two children, Ginger, and Grant, both deceased. She is survived by her husband, Ron; grandson, David; granddaughter in law, Madalaine; and great-granddaughter, Faye. Her parents, Lance, and Virginia Dunham were long time educators and administrators in the Phoenix public School system, so it was a natural career choice for Nelmah to be a teacher. She had a MS degree from the University of New Mexico in Education with a minor in music. She taught for 25 years in the Albuquerque Public School system at several different schools in the heights, valley, and Paradise Hills.

Nelmah was also a talented musician, playing the piano, organ, flute, piccolo and guitar. She used this talent to professionally play organ mood music at restaurants and as a church organist and choir director. She also organized volunteer student choirs at her schools which gave performances at the schools that were very popular with her students. She had a very active lifestyle outside of her profession. She and Ron were avid Lobo football and basketball fans and had season tickets for many years for these sports. She also enjoyed downhill skiing, horseback riding, camping, off-road motorcycling, traveling abroad and luxury cruises. During her long illness prior to death, she had a host of excellent caregivers. Husband, Ron, was her primary caregiver and he had outstanding support from professional caregivers Lorena Ramos and Johana Garcia and from the Presbyterian Hospice group.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., FRENCH - Lomas.