Mary Catherine (Lenzini) Hanks

Mary Catherine Lenzini Hanks, 80, of Bloomfield, NM went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 23, 2016, while in hospice care. She was born in Walsenburg, Colorado, on April 6, 1936, to Alfonso and Aralia (Lola) Gonzales. Her adoptive parents were Alfred and Antonia Gonzales Lenzini, Pueblo, CO. Cathie graduated from Centennial HighSchool, Pueblo, CO and continued her education at the University of Northern CO; where she obtained her Batchelor of Arts Degree. She pursued her post-graduate studies, obtaining double Master of Arts Degrees with distinctive honors, in Music Performance and Music Education, at her alma mater, UNC, Greeley, CO. As a very humble and dynamic virtuoso trumpet music performance artist, mentor, and educator, Mary Catherine toured the world and led many of the great orchestras and symphonic bands, performing, directing, conducting, and arranging music ensembles in the most prestigious, nation's capitols, concert halls, and world-renowned music festivals; in the United States and Europe. Known for her vivacious and engaging personality; her reputation for motivating and inspiring countless audiences and thousands of students in the U.S., and abroad, has endeared Cathie to multiple generations of artists, educators, and the public. Through life-long study, research, and refinement of her academic, artistic, public relations endeavors, and the building of personal and professional relationships; she mentored and invested herself in succeeding generations of artists, scholars, and entrepreneurs. Cathie was much beloved and admired by all who knew and worked with her. She has been described as an educator, performer, and business woman. She enjoyed painting, gardening, computers, fishing, white-water rafting, and "tweaking recipes." She shared her cooking expertise with many less fortunate than her, by blessing them using her cooking skills and personalizing recipes. With her husband, Don, they shared their culinary skill across the country, in presenting authentic Spanish, Italian, and French cuisine, to many enthusiasts, in their varied restaurants. She had the uncanny ability to look beyond the surface and always see the good in everyone she met, and no one was ever a stranger. She was a very generous lady and had an infectious smile and laugh; always ready to give a positive account for the way in which she lived her life. Her positive philosophy was and is touching the world, and in what was possible, in helping to enhance and improve the lives of others; bringing joy and fulfillment to everyone she encountered. She was such a marvelous personification of the "Golden Rule" who gave of her time, talent, and resources to many worthy causes, and was a friend to the friendless. Cathie was a life-member of Delta Omicron, National Educators Assoc., American String Teachers Assoc., Musical Coterie of the American Federation of Music Clubs, Women Band Directors National Assoc., Professional Musicians Assoc., Music Education National Conference; Tau Beta Sigma; Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia; Colorado Springs Opera Association; Purdue University, Purdue, IN. Artist-in-Residence and Director of Orchestras and chamber ensembles; a highly respected, and frequently recognized Music Educator, District 60, Pueblo,CO; Center CO High School; Mountainburg AR High School, Westark Community College, Fort Smith, AR; Fort Smith AR Conservatory of Music, Encampment WY High School; Southwestern Academy of Music, Little Rock, AR; Substitutions: Highland School District, Seattle, WA; Tulsa OK School District. She served as President of the Bloomfield Senior Citizen's Council. According to the current Executive Director of the Northwest New Mexico Seniors, "Cathie was a member of the Bloomfield Center where she served on their Center Advisory Council," she was elected to Northwest New Mexico Seniors Policy Board Oct. 10, 2012." "She was elected President of Northwest New Mexico Seniors, Inc. on Oct 14, 2014 and served until May 15, 2015 until her illness became too much for her." She started "Cottage Printer" a computerized business service along with teaching vision impaired persons on the computer through the Services for the Blind. She completed two years of education for Ministry Program through the University of the South, Sewanee, TN., and served as a lay Eucharistic Minister in the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas. Cathie gave of herself to so many and definitely made this world a better place, as a servant of our Lord. She was always in the background, deflecting any credit bestowed upon her; elevating and recognizing other's achievements, before her own. She served as President of the Bloomfield Senior Citizen's Council. Her active and passionate involvement in the ministries of her church, Saint John's Episcopal Church, of Farmington, NM; was very paramount in her life. She loved and supported her pastor and rector, Fr. Guy Mackey. Of her many friends, there was one, in particular who was closer to her than a sister. She treated Cathie with such amazing love, dignity, humor, respect, and caring; especially during the most difficult and challenging times of her life. As the Chaplain of Pastoral Care, at San Juan Regional Medical Center, Mrs. Ann Merrick was and is, that friend. We are indeed grateful beyond words for your ministry to Mary Catherine, and our family; and ask God to richly bless you, and yours. Cathie held in such high esteem, her membership and affiliation in the "Daughters of the King" ministry, at Saint John's Church. She and her dear departed husband, Donald, had shared their lives, artistic collaborations, and music ministry with the community, the world, and the Body of Christ. Cathie was a great lover of animals and had by her side her faithful and loyal companion, "Houdini," her beautiful Yorkshire terrier.

Catherine is survived by her brother, Michael G. Lenzini (Patricia), Van Buren, AR; a sister, Doris Valdez (Pat) Las Vegas, NV; a step-daughter, Laura Hanks West, and two step grand-daughters, Abilene, TX; sister-in-law, Nancy Ellis (Charles), San Marcos, TX; an aunt, Inez Olguin (Alfonso) with her daughter, Jan Gallegos; nephews, Michael Brandon Lenzini (Christy), Van Buren, AR., David Gonzales of Farmington, NM; nieces, Janet Ellis, New York City; Julie Lambert, Wichita Falls, TX; Anna Mae Richmond (Jim), Fairbanks, AK; Lauren Brooke Vella (John Paul), St. Louis, MO; Channing Brittainy Garcia (Alex), Van Buren, AR; grand-nieces, Teresa Ferriols McAllister (Jeff), Lisa Ferriols Mantello (Mike), Myra Ferriols, Diana Borrow (Bill), Seattle, WA; Gabrielle Grace Anne Lenzini, Abigayil Shalom Lenzini, Eden Hava-Liat Lenzini, Van Buren, AR; grand-nephews, Ethan Noah Lenzini, Jaxson Alexander Garcia, Van Buren, AR; nephew-in-law, Vince Ferriols (Mary Inez), Seattle, WA; and many neices (great), nephews (great), cousins, relatives and friends.

Mary Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Glenn Hanks; parents, Alfonso and Aralia (Lola) Gonzales; Alfred and Antonia Gonzales Lenzini; a sister, Minnie Valdez (John); brothers, Francisco (Frank) Gonzales, and Fabian Flementa (Clem) Gonzales; an uncle, Alfonso Olguin (Inez), White Rock, NM; cousins, Della Duran (Joseph); Vangie Maldonado (Frank); nieces, Betty Valdez, and Mary Inez Ferriols; a nephew, Donald Valdez. As family, friends, and acquaintances, we are acutely aware, that we lived in the midst of one of God's precious Angels, who spent her life personifying the verses of biblical scripture 1Corinthians 13: 4-9a. For Mary Catherine having lived, such a joyous and remarkable life; she had been blessed, to be a blessing. Cathie loved well. Each one of us have been blessed beyond measure, for having known her; for having received her love. Our lives have been incalculably impacted. Cathie's life and message, points us to the Father, Who never gives up on us; and in One, Whose love never fails.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the ministries of Saint John's Episcopal Church of Farmington, NM. Memorial Service will be Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 10:00 AM, at Saint John's Episcopal Church, 312 N. Orchard Ave, Farmington, NM 87401. Cremation under the direction of Brewer, Lee, and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 East Ute St, Farmington, NM, (505) 325-8688.