Sylvia Mae Lee

Sylvia Mae Barton Lee, 64,of Farmington, passed away Sunday, May 16, 2010. She was born October 26, 1945, in Fort Defiance, Arizona, the youngest of six children born to Stwart and Jennie Barton. She was Taciini (Red Running into Water), born for Todichiinii (Bitter Waters) Clans. She was married to Herman T. Lee of Shiprock. She graduated from Rehoboth Mission School, near Gallup, and also earned her associate degree from San Juan College and a bachelor's degree from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo. She worked for the U.S. Department of Energy at Kirtland Air Force Base, Southwest Polytechnic Institute of Albuquerque, Gallup Indian Medical Center, the U.S. Department of Justice Probation Office of Farmington, the New Mexico District Attorney's office, San Juan College, New Beginnings Rehabilitation Center and Bernina Sewing machines. Sylvia was a blessws mother, talented bowler, and skilled and artistic quilter, winning many regional and national awards. She was a talented instructor of quilting and Bernia sewing machines. She touched the lives of so many she counseled and helped battle drugs and alchol abuse. She especially enjoyed traveling. Her main passion was the witness of her strong faith in Jesus Christ, and she was a friend to everyone everywhere. She was an active member of the Light of Life Mennonite Church of Farmington, playing piano, and participating in a weekly Bible study. She could always be counted on to gift many of her quilting projects to fundraisers and family members. Sylvia loved watching the high school girls' basketball tournaments and consistently rooted for her favorite teams, the L.A. Lakers, and the Phoenix Suns and the UNM Lobos. Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents, Stewart and Jennie Barton; her half brother, Daniel Barton of Winerhaven, Calif.;and two half sisters, Francis Joe of Bellflower, Calif., and Helen Chapito of Zuni; and nephew, Kendall Barton.