Kay Rogers

Longtime Roswell resident Kay Lorraine Strahle Rogers passed away peacefully in her home, Friday, October 7th, 2016 surrounded by her family, and her beloved dog Jody.
Kay Rogers was born Kay Lorraine Strahle, July 4th, 1932 in Camden, New Jersey. Kay grew up in New Jersey and enjoyed her young life in and around South Jersey and the Jersey shore. Kay attended high school at St. Mary's Hall, a private Episcopal boarding school in Burlington, New Jersey. She graduated high school in 1950. After high school Kay attended Goucher Women's College in Baltimore, Maryland. Kay moved to New Mexico in 1951 after deciding to go on an adventure and try out college in the wild West. Kay and a girlfriend left Goucher College and transferred to Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico. While attending college in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Kay met and married Leroy Rogers in 1952. They divorced years later. In the early years of their marriage Kay and Leroy lived in Las Vegas, NM, Hobbs, NM, and finally settled in Roswell, NM in 1960. Through the years Kay also attended Eastern New Mexico University.
In 1962 Kay started her career with the State of New Mexico Human Services Department and retired in 1992. She held several positions throughout her 30 years of service to the State. Her favorite and last position was "Investigator of the Program Integrity Bureau." In this position Kay investigated welfare fraud and was honored many times in this position for her success in finding and helping to prosecute individuals committing welfare fraud.
In Kay's retirement, she focused on community involvement with the Roswell Museum and Art Center and was a member of the membership committee. She was a participant in the docent program conducting tours for school children and was also involved in a museum program that focused on helping juveniles express themselves through their own art and other cultural stimulation.
Additionally, Kay volunteered with the Income Tax Assistance program in conjunction with the IRS in helping prepare returns for the elderly and low income. Kay could also be found working the polls and many election sites throughout the years.
Kay was preceded in death by her mother, Wilhelmina "Billie" Fuhrman of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, her father, Henry Christian Strahle of Haddonfield New Jersey and her son in law, Tom Goaziou of Scottsdale, Arizona.
Kay is survived by her son Larry Rogers of Roswell, NM, retired Captain of the New Mexico State Police, and his wife Cheri Rogers. Her daughter, Terry Tucker of Scottsdale, AZ and Terry's life companion, Dan Vincent, Sr. Her granddaughter, Kezia Pieratt of Roswell, NM, and her husband Jeremy Pieratt. Kay's grandson, Donald Foster of Lubbock, Texas and his wife Melissa as well as great grandchildren, Drew Price of Roswell, NM, and Chase and Addison Foster of Lubbock, Texas. Kay's older sister, Joan Arnold of Moorestown, New Jersey, and Kay's nieces, Diane Arnold of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Gail Arnold of Watertown, MA. Her nephews, Eric Arnold of Delran, New Jersey and Doug Arnold of Nishinomiya City, Japan. Kay's younger sister, Chrissy Maguire of Palmyra, New Jersey and Kay's nieces Kim Maguire-Wright of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jacqueline Flynn of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, and Stephanie Toner of Palmyra, New Jersey and finally, her first cousin Nadine Thompson of Oak Park, Illinois.
Additionally, Kay had nieces and nephews from the Rogers family including Mark Rogers of Las Vegas, NM, Todd Rogers of Wright City, Missouri, and Rene Rogers of Lovington, N.M. Her sister in law, Sandy Magnon of Roswell, N.M., and Sandy's children, Lyle Rogers and Debbie Rogers.
It is hard to put her life joys in a few paragraphs, but the happiness in her life came from being the most amazing Mother any child could have in life. As a mother, Kay worked hard and gave everything up for her children so they could have wonderful opportunities. Although she didn't get the chance to travel much, she enjoyed traveling together with her family to Las Vegas, Nevada, Scottsdale, Arizona, Albuquerque and Ruidoso. She also enjoyed return trips to New Jersey especially Atlantic City. Kay's birthday was the 4th of July, and not once throughout her life did her children and friends miss that time to be with her, whether it be at the horse races in Ruidoso, or in Las Vegas, Nevada taking her to shows and wonderful dinners.
Kay's favorite hobby was playing Contract Bridge and one of her biggest accomplishments was in 1995 where she attained American Contract Bridge League Life Master title. Prior to her death she was the President of the local Roswell Duplicate Bridge Club and in the past she was a board member of Unit #382 of the American Contract Bridge League.
It was Kay's privilege to be a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church and a member of the St. Andrews Altar Guild, where she was the Director of the Altar Guild for three years.
In 1992 Kay was a candidate for Chavez County Commissioner. She didn't win, but she had a lot of fun campaigning and getting to know the people and issues surrounding Chavez County.
Kay also enjoyed being a member of the Roswell Women's Club, the Newcomer's Club, Beta Sigma Phi, and Toastmasters through the years.
In her later years Kay enjoyed spending quality time with her Bridge Club friends, her Poker friends, and her lifelong friends and neighbors. She loved all her friends and was always there to help them when they became sick and needed someone to help them.
Larry and Terry would like to thank all of their Mother's friends for all the cards, calls, and visits throughout her illness. None of you can imagine how much all of this meant to us as her family, and she so enjoyed hearing from all of you.
Special thanks go to Gloria Palamino Molina, Ruben Palamino Molina and the entire Palamino Molina family, especially Lazaro who brought our Mother so much joy. Gloria's generosity in helping us throughout Mother's illness will never be forgotten.
To Father Dale Plummer for comforting our family and visiting Mother during her illness, especially the blessing in her final moments.
To Gentiva Hospice, Glynn, Anita and Stacie for helping us understand and support us the final few days of our Mother's life.
Also, many thanks to caregivers, Hortencia Valenzuela and Silvia Calderon who were both so good to our Mother and kept us laughing every day in addition to their other duties.
And finally, to Jody, Mother's beloved Border Collie, who never left her side throughout her illness. It was truly remarkable to watch this dog protect our Mother every day.
Services for Kay Rogers will be held 11 am, Friday, October 14th at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 505 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Roswell, NM. Inurnment will follow the service at the St. Andrews columbarium. A reception will be held in the St. Andrews Parish Hall following services.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Roswell Humane Society, 703 E. McGaffey St. Roswell, NM 88203 or to St. Andrews Memorial Fund, 505 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Roswell, NM 88201.

Service

Memorial Service

St. Andrews Episcopal Church
505 N. Pennsylvania
Roswell, NM  88201
Friday, October 14, 2016
11:00 am

Cemetery

St. Andrews Columbarium
505 N. Pennsylvania
Roswell, NM  88201

Memorial Contributions

St. Andrews Memorial Fund
505 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Roswell, NM  88201