Obituary of Angela Boone

Angela Boone left this life peacefully in her own home in Albuquerque on November 19th.  She was 85 years old.  She is survived by her niece Lynn Boone, two nephews Dan and Steven, their wives Rene and Suzie respectively, a great nephew Jacob Boone and great niece Lauren Boone.  They will always miss her, and her encouragement, humor and love.  In addition she left three first cousins David McDavid, Kandi Lamb, and Toni Williams.  Angela was blessed to have many devoted friends, who actively loved her with their selfless care and attention in her final months.  She was predeceased by her beloved life partner, Professor Mary Bess Whidden; her parents and brother Dan Boone, who was also her devoted friend; and two cousins Bill McDavid and Deddy Dawn Srimavin, her much loved, first friend. 

Angela loved Albuquerque, but she was a Texas girl at heart.  She was born in Dallas, Texas to parents Howard Willoughby and Edna Bell Boone on January 1st, 1937, and grew up in Weatherford, Texas.  She graduated from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth and moved to Austin to gain her Masters in English at the University of Texas.  She did honors work while working part-time in the English Department office.  In line with her penchant for new challenges, she spent a summer dealing blackjack at Harrah’s Casino in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.  She and Mary Bess spent so much time in Austin with lifelong friends, enjoying good conversation, lots of laughs and great food that they ultimately purchased a house in historic Travis Heights.  She had a prodigious memory of Austin’s many fabulous restaurants.  She loved UT football and all types of food, including Texas-style bar-b-que. 

She and Mary Bess moved to Albuquerque in 1963 when Mary Bess took a faculty position at UNM.  Angela entered the doctorate program in English at UNM, specializing in American literature and working part-time as a cab driver.  Eventually she would change careers, but not her love of literature.  She had great success as a realtor because of her love for people.  Even years after her retirement, she counted many of her clients and colleagues as close friends. 

Angela knew how to make the most of her personal time.  She and Mary Bess loved travel and took dozens of trips to England, France and Italy, never staying for less than months, and often for two or three years!  This drove her brother to distraction.  She was a great cook.  She loved cooking posole, green chili enchiladas, chicken fried steak and pie for family and friends.  She also enjoyed countless hours of fly fishing in New Mexico mountain streams.  

Angela was a person who loved people.  You couldn’t know her without becoming her friend.  Her friendships spanned generations.  In testimony, many of her close friends, late in life, were the children of her lifelong friends.  No matter where she went all over the world, she strengthened old friendships and made new ones.  She touched so many lives and brought countless smiles. 

You will always be in our thoughts.  We love you so very much! 

A celebration of life will be held at the University of New Mexico Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7.  Angela will be reunited with Mary Bess in Fairview Cemetery at noon.  Memorial donations may go to Animal Humane New Mexico (www.animalhumanenm.org), World Central Kitchen (www.worldcentralkitchen.org), or a charity of your choice.