Arlene Ruth Westgaard, aka. "Miss Edwards"

Arlene Ruth Westgaard

Arlene Ruth Westgaard passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord on Wednesday, April 12 at the Wertheim Hospice House in Albuquerque, NM, with her oldest son Barry by her side. She was born on August 27, 1940 in Troy, NY to Cecil Nash and Ruth (Gummer) Nash, both of whom predeceased her.

Her family moved west in the late sixties, living in Nevada, California and Arizona, before settling down in the Grants area. She is survived by her 2 sons, Barry Cone (Cari) of Milan, NM and Doug Cone (Jennifer) of Harrison, AR as well as a grandson, Daniel Cone (Blyth) of Lakewood, CO, her brother, David Nash (Marge) of Schenectady, NY., as well as many other nieces and nephews, 'kids and grandkids', family, former students, church family and friends.

She was a 50-year resident of NM, first in Grants, where she (belovedly known as 'Miss Edwards') taught 2nd - 4th grades and music at Mesa View Elementary for 23 years, then 5 years at St. Theresa. After the death of long-time partner Gilbert 'Lone Star' Lucero, she moved to Rio Rancho where she married her now deceased husband, Odin Westgaard. She was active in music ministry at several churches in Rio Rancho, including St. Paul's UCC, Bernalillo UMC and High Desert United Methodist. While she loved her work in the church, she felt that most of her ministry took place outside the walls of the building where she helped others battling addictions through several local AA groups, she was a part of as well as ministering through her music at area hospitals and nursing homes. She always did everything with her whole heart, was a blessing wherever she went and will be greatly missed.

Memorial gifts in her honor can be sent to: High Desert United Methodist Church, 1201 Golf Course Rd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. Memorial Service will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at High Desert United Methodist Church, 1201 Golf Course Rd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. Reception will follow at church.