Margie Latimer Estell

Margie Latimer Estell, formerly of Las Cruces, N.M. passed away in her sleep on June 22, in Albuquerque. Margie was born May 7, 1923, to Fred and Ila Latimer, on their farm outside Mansfield, Mo. She was born several weeks premature, when her mother fell from the hayloft, and she was kept warm for the first few weeks of her life in a box in the oven of the wood cookstove. She grew up in the Ozarks, and learned to play piano by ear. She loved music, and always liked to play piano and sing. She worked for a while at KWTO radio in Springfield, Mo., where she was able to meet Porter Wagoner and Chet Atkins, among others. She married Glenn Estell of Hartville, who she met when they both attended Hartville High school in 1945. The couple moved to Las Cruces with their infant son, David, in 1952. Her sons Redge and Greg were born in Las Cruces. Margie was always interested in helping young people, and enrolled in New Mexico State University to study psychology and counseling when her youngest son, Greg started kindergarten. Having returned to school, she formed a support group to help other mothers returning to get an education. The group was called MOMS (Maternal Order of Mature Students), which encouraged enrollment, and helped with the registration process. Taking classes while her children were in school, she graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1967, and a master's degree in counseling in 1973. In 1974, she became the first advisement coordinator at New Mexico State, to help students plan and navigate their academic paths. The element of her job she found most rewarding was the chance to offer informal personal counseling to troubled students. She also helped to start the Mastery of Life center in Las Cruces, and was an active member for many years. Her home was always open to anyone in need. In 1992, an endowed scholarship in her name was established in the College of Education at NMSU. She is survived by two brothers, Don Latimer, of Springfield, and Dale Latimer, of Truth or Consequences, N.M.; her sons and daughters in law Greg and Sue Estell, of Albuquerque, Redge Estell and Cindy Taylor of Corrales, and her son David Estell of San Francisco, along with her four grandchildren, Amanda Maestri, William Estell, Hillary Estell, and Zachary Estell.