Clara Ince Obituary

Clara Ince, 62, was born on Oct. 10, 1951 in Cortez, Colo. She graduated from Cortez High School in 1970, and from the Mercy School of Nursing as a registered nurse in 1974.

She worked at San Juan Regional Hospital in Farmington, N.M., as a pediatric nurse. Then she went on to Shiprock Indian Hospital in New Mexico as the house supervisor. Her final place of employment was at Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez as Charge Nurse. She had a great love of the outdoors, plants and animals. She raised birds and fish; she had many pets, mostly dogs her flower and vegetable gardens vegetable gardens were lush and beautiful. She canned her harvests. She loved to prepare the altar for Mass with the arrangement and maintenance of floral and green plants. She was adventurous as well.

She was part of a Hot Air Balloon crew in Albuquerque and traveled the states and the Virgin Islands.

Her life took a spiritual turn in 1998 when she was converted to the Catholic Faith. Her example of boundless energy and dedication in serving the Lord was a witness to many. Her Catholic prayer ministry and evangelization were inspiring and brought many closer to our Lord and Savior. She loved the people and travels associated with this ministry. She was so on fire for the Lord, she was ready to share with anyone she met. She was always there with a helping hand for anyone in need. She was a member of several groups: Home-bound Eucharist ministry, Eucharist minister, and Lector for Mass Celebrations, Catholic Daughters of America, church fundraiser committees, volunteer as a youth activity sponsor. She passed into eternal life, in peace and holiness, on July 10 in Pagosa Springs. Rosary will be at 6 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Pagosa Springs on Tuesday, July 15. Mass will be held at 10 a.m. at St. John Paul II Church in Pagosa Springs on Wednesday, July 16, celebrated by Fr. Don Malin. The Rosary in Cortez will be at 6:30 p.m. on July 23 at St. Margaret Mary Church. Mass in Cortez will be at St. Mary Margaret Church, celebrated by Fr. Pat Valdez at 10 a.m. on July 24.

She is survived by her best friend, Michelle Schwartz and family, her cousins, William Ince and wife Linda of Orangevale, Calif. Connie Yanze and husband Manny of Henderson, Nev. Mary Ann Berg of Henderson, Nev. Vernon Ince of Cortez and ex-husband Dennis Dow. She is preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Mary Ince, her husband Dave Henderson, Uncle Leroy (Ike) Inee, Walter Young. Viola Johnson, Lueille Long. Guss Ince, Pete Inee, and Bud Ince.

Although Clara lived in Pagosa less than two years, the church community quickly grew to love and admire her sweet and loving disposition; her unshakable faith; and her strength, warmth, wit, and charm. They considered it a blessing to have known her. This is shared with her hometown community of Cortez, as well.