Phyllis Kay Stuckey Townsend

June 27, 1938-April 20, 2023
Phyllis Kay Stuckey (Townsend) was born in Mountainview, California to Harvey Herman and Lucille Edith Stuckey. The first of five children, Kay was proceeded in death by her parents and her brother Harvey Herman. She is survived by her husband of 46-years Stephen Townsend, and sisters Esther Ann, Diane Edith, and Deborah Jo. Kay was married to Vincent Cudia from 1958 to 1975. She is also survived by their five children Corrinne Elizabeth Gaither, David Vincent Cudia, Christopher Stephen Cudia, Jennifer Catherine Smith, and Stephanie Rose Cudia, 13 grandchildren; Sean Gaither, Trevor Gaither, Vincent Cudia, David Cudia, Christopher Cudia, Molly Cudia, Lucas Cudia, Jacob Cudia, Brian Soellner, Jessica Romero, Robert Smith, Kelly Ramirez, and Dylan Garcia, 13 great-grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, former in-laws, and adopted family members.
Kay became Stephen Townsend's lifelong partner on New Years Day 1977. They were married on September 14, 1987. Her love of family was everything to her. She was the matriarch, and the center of the family. She was a loving daughter, sister, mother, spouse, and friend. To her everyone was important. A love of life, a concern for others and a desire to improve people's lives animated her. There was always a meal, an extra place to sleep, and a sympathetic listener at her house.
Kay was well-known in Las Vegas. She never knew a stranger and was happy talking with anyone. From doing oral interviews with Milton Taichert to talking with strangers outside the post office, she valued all people. Requests for birth dates, times, and locations were always made after she started doing astrology. She just wanted to know more about people.
While a proud Californian, Kay lived largely in northern New Mexico from 1970 on. She loved the California gold country and Bay Area of her youth but was a New Mexican by choice. She was fascinated by the history, culture, and archaeology of northeastern New Mexico, and especially loved Las Vegas and its people.
Kay worked at the Carnegie Library with Eileen Eshner. She attended Highlands University, earning a BA in distributed social sciences, and an MA in history, both with highest honors. She was intellectually brilliant, read voraciously, and wrote prodigiously. Kay was a graduate assistant for several professors. She did osteometric analysis of human remains, conducted a field school at the Romero House, and did archaeological field work at the Tinsley Ranch and Tecolote archaeological sites. She studied with Robert Mishler, Jim Russell, Ralph Carlisle
Smith, James Beatson, Irma Schuster, Gabino Rendon and many, many others. Kay was an interpretive park ranger at Fort Union National Monument, working with T.J. and Nikki Sperry. It was her most loved job, allowing her to talk to, and educate people. Later she partnered with her husband in cultural resource consultation, and did research for the Citizen's Committee for Historic Preservation Places with a Past Tour.
Kay's curiosity led her to study history, anthropology, psychology, transactional analysis, nature, animal behavior, astrology, the constellations, and genealogy. She was an expert cook, had an encyclopedic knowledge of popular songs, and loved to dance. She loved bird watching, knitting, painting and photography. She was a talented and sensitive photographer, who lovingly chronicled her growing family from their earliest years. Kay was a prolific correspondent, sending family members and friends long, handwritten letters filled with humorous stories and observations. She loved her six shih tzus and cats too numerous to name. She was refreshingly irreverent, but also serious, having little patience for people who did not try to be their best.
This short remembrance does not begin to define this remarkable person. Her spirit is alive and well in all who know her. We are truly fortunate to have had her in our lives and will hold her close as long as we live.
Arrangements are entrusted to and under the care of Rogers Mortuary 600 Reynolds Ave Las Vegas, NM 505-425-3511 or 1-800-479-3511.
Please visit our online website www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign the online register book.
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