Jeannette Owens Wallace

Jeannette Owens Wallace 1934-2011 Jeannette Owens Wallace, a long term Los Alamos resident passed away from this world on April 8, 2011. Jeannette succumbed to various illnesses after a brief visit to the hospital, and was working until the day she died. Jeannette was a dedicated public servant, and loved her community and Northern New Mexico. Jeannette was born on January 16, 1934 in Scottsdale, Arizona to Albert and Velma Owens. She grew up on a small farm, and from an early age found joy in the Methodist Church. She worked her way through Arizona State University and earned a Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology. She met Terry C. Wallace while at Arizona State and they were married in 1955. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Ames, Iowa where Terry received his PhD in Chemistry. Jeannette and Terry moved to Los Alamos in the fall of 1958 to work at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. Terry's graduate work was paid for by the Army and shortly after arriving in Los Alamos the Wallace's moved to Dugway, Utah, as part of his commitment to the Army. They returned to Los Alamos for good in 1959. Jeannette is the mother to five children: Terry Wallace, Jr. (Los Alamos), Randy Wallace (deceased) Tim Wallace (Houston), Sheryl Parra (Bellevue, Nebraska), and Janice Crabtree (Houston). She was quite active in her children's schools and extracurricular activities serving as room mother, Cub Scotts and Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher and more. When the last child left home in 1980, Jeannette turned her attention to the community affairs, and served several terms in the Los Alamos County Council in the 1980s. In 1990 Jeannette ran for the New Mexico State Legislator representing District 43 in the State House. She was elected 11 times and was passionate in her community to her constituents. Her husband and four of her children survive Jeannette. She is the grandmother to nine young adults; David Wallace (St. Louis), Caroline Wallace (Houston), Matthew Parra (Omaha), Nicole Crabtree (Katy, Texas), Caitlin Parra (Bellevue), Joshua Wallace (Omaha), Chelsie Wallace (Omaha), Sara Jane Wallace (Houston), Connor Crabtree (Katy, Texas). She also has a great grandson, David Wallace, Jr. (St. Louis). Jeannette' life will be honored at the New Mexico State Capitol Roundhouse on Wednesday April 13 from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 3700 Canyon Rd., Los Alamos, NM at 10 AM on Thursday April 14. The Reverend Gary Seelau of White Rock Methodist Church (Jeannette's home church) will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to the Jeannette Wallace Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Los Alamos Kiwanis Club, 5 Primrose Lane, Los Alamos NM 87544 or the White Rock Methodist Church Foundation, 580 Meadow Lane, Los Alamos NM 87544. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa Street, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505)984-8600 Please sign our guestbook for the family at: www.berardinellifuneralhome.com