Mae F. Denetclaw

Mae Fermina (Garnenez) Denetclaw, 81, of Tokoi', N.M., passed away peacefully in the early morning of Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, at San Juan Center in Farmington. She was born July 29, 1936, in Shiprock to Natoni and Anna Garnenez, in Shiprock.
Mae attended Kirtland public schools and earned an Associate's Degree in Business at Fort Lewis College. She married Wilfred Denetclaw, of Naschitti, in 1958. The couple made their home in Shiprock, had two sons, and were active in farming and ranching. She was a secretary for the Navajo Nation Police Department in Shiprock for 16 years. She then served as Director of the Navajo Nation Division of Social Services in Shiprock for 22 years until retiring in 1996.
Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Wilfred F. Denetclaw Sr.; parents, Natoni and Anna Garnenez; brothers, Sam Garnenez Sr. and Perry Garnenez. She is survived by her sons, Wilfred F. Denetclaw Jr., PhD of El Sobrante, Calif. and Milford Denetclaw of Shiprock; daughter-in-laws, Tina (Harrach) Denetclaw, Pharm.D. BCPS APh and Mamie (Yabeny) Denetclaw, RN CDE; sister, Fannie Collins of Shiprock, brothers, Henry Garnenez Sr. and Jimmy Garnenez Sr. both of Shiprock; grandsons, Matthew and Myron Denetclaw of Shiprock, as well as numerous much-loved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A funeral service for Mae will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Shiprock. Burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 6917 E. Main St. in Farmington.
Mae's care is entrusted to Cope Memorial Chapel of Farmington, 404 W. Arrington St., 505-327-5142.