Tomme R. Matotan

Tomme Ruth Matotan, age 91, passed away after a long illness on Wednesday, February 18, 2015. She was born in Gatesville, TX on October 6, 1923, to Burley Morris and his wife, Emma, both pharmacists. Tomme grew up in Lamesa, TX. She had two brothers, Burley and Gene, and one sister, Norma Kay. When Tomme's mother went to pharmacy school, Tomme helped raise her siblings. Tomme attended the University of New Mexico, earning a degree in Sociology. After graduation, she worked as a secretary at Kirtland Air Force Base, where she met her future husband, William Matotan. They married on February 14, 1953, and celebrated their 62nd anniversary last week. Tomme and her husband had two children, Lee and Stephen. Tomme was a world traveler, visiting over 140 countries, enjoying diverse cultures and traditions. She was an accomplished photographer and collected artifacts worldwide. Tomme was a resident of Albuquerque and is survived by her husband, William Matotan; her daughter, Lee Sislen of Rockville, MD; her son, Stephen Matotan and his wife, Tamara of Albuquerque, NM; three grandchildren, Benjamin Sislen, Matthew Sislen and Emily Sislen all of Washington, D.C.; her sister, Norma Kay Emberg of Houston, TX; and nieces and nephews, Tekla Laborsky, Mary Meadors and Randy Warchol of Chicago, IL, Fred Warchol and Joseph Warchol of California, and Patrick Warchol of Albuquerque, NM. A Memorial Service will be Saturday, February 21, 2015, 5:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas with visitation one hour prior. Interment will be Monday, February 23, 2015 in Deming, New Mexico.