ALBUERQUE, N.M. – Marianne Cabrin Wheeler, a resident of Albuquerque, N.M., since 1971, died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006, surrounded by her husband and her seven children in her home. Marianne was born in 1930, in Helena, Mont., the first of three children. Marianne was an outspoken advocate of women’s health and derived great pride and immense pleasure from a career of more than 55 years as a nurse and obstetrics/gynecology nurse practitioner. Up until a few months ago, Marianne served the community at Lovelace Clinic and at the public health department. Her career included 10 years at the Maternity and Infant Care Project and 15 years of service at Lovelace Hospital. She touch-ed the lives of many and was an inspiration to her co-workers. Marianne also enjoyed travel, gardening, sewing and was a passionate skier. She served her church as a Eucharistic minister and a marionites. Marianne is survived by her husband, Col. Bruce Wheeler; her seven children and his three children. Marianne’s children are Richard Ryan and his wife, Michelle, of Albuquerque, N.M., Christine Palmer of Tacoma, Wash., Myrle Zilkoski and her husband, Mark, of Wolf Point, Mont., Thomas Ryan and wife, Tammy Metheny, of Albuquerque, N.M., Theresa Nebel of Tacoma, Wash., Shaughnessy Ryan and his new bride, Petra, of Newport Beach, Calif., Shannon Chapa and her husband, Armando, of Colorado Springs, Colo., David Wheeler and his wife, Vicki, of Denver, Carol Wheeler of Sacramento, Calif., and Stephen Wheeler and his wife, Robin, of Stockton, Calif. They enjoy 29 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Friends may pay their respects during a memorial visitation 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, with recitation of the Holy Rosary 7 p.m. at French Mortuary, Wyoming Boulevard Chapel. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at Our Lady of Annunciation Parish, 2532 Vermont St. NE, with Fr. Thomas Kayammakal, celebrant. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to The Sisters of the Poor, Gallup, N.M. Marianne’s family expresses their thanks to the many friends who have provided meals and comfort this past week.
MARIANNE CABRIN WHEELER
