Fabiola M. Cournoyer, 90, Española, April 16

FEBRUARY 24, 1933 - APRIL16, 2023

Fabiola M. Cournoyer, 90, of Espanola, NM, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 16, 2023.

Fabiola, lovingly known as Fabby, was born in Ojo de la Vaca, NM on February 24, 1933, to Rufina and Miguel Martinez. She was one of nine children, and she liked to say that she helped raise her siblings. She grew up in Santa Cruz, NM, where she attended school until 10th grade. She received a scholarship and finished high school at Loretto, in Santa Fe, NM. She continued her education at St. Joseph’s College in Albuquerque, NM, where she studied to be a teacher.

Fabby was teaching in Dixon, NM, when she met the love of her life, Nelson, through a mutual friend. They were married on August 14, 1954. Nelson proudly served in the Air Force and together they lived around the world, including Bulox, Mississippi; Okinawa, Japan; Sevilla, Spain; and Redlands, California. They eventually returned home with their five children to the beautiful Espanola Valley in 1972.

Fabby was a remarkable woman. She remained close with many of her classmates and always talked about how much fun she had at school. She planned several class reunions and enjoyed singing old songs and saying cheers. She was a wonderful cook and was known for her tortillas, paella, sopes, and Nelson’s favorite, meatloaf. Fabby was happiest when she was surrounded by her family. She was very close with her brothers and sisters and kept in touch with them regularly. She truly loved her Nelson with all her heart, and her children and grandchildren were the lights of her life. Family parties were something she always looked forward to, and she cherished those times.

Fabby was preceded in death by her parents Rufina and Miguel Martinez, infant triplet daughters, son Daniel Cournoyer, siblings Mercedes (Ben) Rael, Feliberto “Sonny” Martinez, Francisco “Frank” (Louisa) Martinez, Mary Francis Martinez, father-in-law Anatole Cournoyer, mother-in-law Lauria Cournoyer, and inlaws Edward (Patricia) Cournoyer, Jeanne (Frederick) Peirce, Dolores D’Andrea, and Carmen Martinez, son-in-law Chris Lamm, granddaughter Theresa Cournoyer, great-great granddaughter Hailey Fabiola Walker.

She is survived by her husband Nelson Cournoyer, and her children Maria “Dode” (Richard) Rieckenberg, Michael (Catherine) Cournoyer, Jeanne Cournoyer and Dianne Lamm, siblings Jeri (Mel) Martinez, Rudy Martinez, Louis (Molly) Martinez, Michael (Sandra) Martinez. Grandchildren, Maria (Joe) Garcia, Feliza (Ted) Perio, Giovanni (Johanna) Lopez, Nathan Cournoyer, Audrey Cournoyer, Lauria Cournoyer, Gabriel Cournoyer, Steven (Char) Walker, Diana Walker, Jack (Jacqui) Lamm. Great-grandchildren Tyler (Billie) Perio, Isabella Perio, Hailey Perio, Giovanni Henry Lopez, Joey Walker, Aries Hudgens, Luca Hudgens. Great-great-grandchild Emmett Perio. Godchildren Gayle Perry Dockham, Angie Archuleta, Lorraine Valdez, Brian Martinez, Kellymarie Heslin, in-laws Patty Martinez, Francis D’Andrea, and many other special relatives and friends.

Special thanks to the staff at Fresenius Kidney Care, especially nurses Christina Mendez and Kimberly Montoya, and nephrologists, Dr. Tudor Ocneanu and Dr. Gentiana Voinescu, Dr. Jennifer Shonk from Presbyterian Hospital in Espanola. Presbyterian Hospice, and caregiver Karlie Neuman-Roper

A rosary will be held at DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola on Wednesday, April 26 at 6:30pm. A mass will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Thursday, April 27 at 11:00am with a burial to follow at the Santa Cruz Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joe Garcia, Ted Perio, Giovanni Lopez, Jack Lamm, Joey Walker, and Nathan Cournoyer. Honorary pallbearers will be Gabriel Cournoyer, Rudy Martinez, Lewis Martinez, Michael Martinez and Mel Martinez.