Marylee Hopper

Marylee Lowance Hopper, 73, of Flora Vista, NM, passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2013. She was born to the late Charles Thomas Lowance and Louise Gentry Lowance, on January 27, 1940, in Taos, New Mexico. Marylee graduated from Albuquerque High School (AHS) in 1958. She was the AHS state champion baton twirling majorette and competed as a pianist. In 1966, Marylee met the love of her life, Carroll Ray Hopper in Farmington, NM. They married on June 10, 1968. After marriage, they moved to Kayenta, AZ where Marylee managed the Holiday Inn in Monument Valley and Carroll worked at Black Mesa Pipeline. Marylee also graduated top of her class from Holiday Inn University and received national recognition for management excellence. In 1976, they moved to Aztec, NM and purchased Hopper's Lounge and Package. They also owned and operated several other successful businesses. It was during this time, that Marylee and Carroll started raising and running racehorses. She served on the New Mexico State Racing Commission and was the food and beverage manager at Sun Ray Park where she catered many parties and helped create the Festival of Trees in San Juan County. Marylee always supported and sponsored many community activities including rodeo, horseracing, 4-H, and sports associations. Marylee was an amazing individual who lived life to the fullest. She loved spending time at Navajo Lake. She was an excellent fisherman, seamstress, and artist. She loved to entertain and was an exceptional cook. She was a hard worker and was extremely creative and talented. More than anything, she truly loved her family and friends and has left a deep impression in all of our hearts. Marylee is survived by her husband, Carroll and four children: Bobby and Laura Hopper of Ogden, UT; Marla Lewis of Safford, AZ; Douglas and Toni Pendergrass of Flora Vista, NM; and Slugger Hopper of Spring, TX. She is also survived by eighteen grandchildren: Bo, Christi (Steve), Levi (Charlie), Dacyn (Josh), Danney (Meisje), Talyn, Gentry, Frances, Oliver, Weston, Lauren, Walker, Douglas, Raylee and Hadley. She also has eleven great grandchildren. Marylee is also survived by her four sisters: Billie Gibbs, Martha Sanders, Cookie (Bill) Clements and Tommy Kay (Bill) Wallace, four sister-in-laws: Carlene (Deryl) Keith, Joyce (Jimmy) Neagle, Wynell (Jan) Richards, and Phyllis (Donnie) Dobbins and numerous nieces and nephews. A viewing will be held from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at Brewer, Lee, and Larkin Funeral Home at 103 East Ute Street, Farmington NM. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the same location. A luncheon will follow the funeral. She will be laid to rest at the Fort Sumner Cemetery in Fort Sumner, NM following a graveside service at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 4, 2013.
The Hopper Family would like to extend our appreciation to all of our family and friends for their support during this difficult time.