Lynda Kay (Ashbrook) McKenzie

August 6, 1951 — October 29, 2022

Lynda Kay McKenzie of Kirtland, NM, passed away on October 29, 2022.

She was born on August 6, 1951, in Perry, Oklahoma, to Walter C. Ashbrook and Aley Nellie (Elgin).

Lynda spent her childhood on a farm in Perry, OK. She graduated high school in Perry, OK. She later went on to attend college at Central State University in Edmond, OK, and graduated as a P.E. teacher. She got offered a job in New Mexico. She taught at many schools including Kennedy Junior High school in Gallup, Wingate High School, Red Mesa High School, Newcomb High School and Kirtland Central High School. She did whatever was necessary to help the schools and children including bookkeeping, coaching and teaching Math. After she retired, she continued to serve the community by substitute teaching, being a member of the Red Hat Ladies, serving as a member of the Anasazi Foundation Board, delivering Meals on Wheels, teaching crafts at the Farmington Senior Center and serving in the Baptist church in Kirtland.

Lynda enjoyed fishing, caring for animals, cruising around the world with her friends and family and visiting the local casinos.

She loved her family and her friends, so much so that her friends became extended family. She was passionate about her career as a coach and teacher. And many of her students called her mom and their children considered her a grandma as well. She will be missed by all who knew her, especially by her son Lenard, daughter-in-law Aurora and her grandbabies Mearon and London.

She was preceded in death by her parents and numerous aunts and uncles. She is survived by her siblings, Shirley Powers (Glencoe, OK), Dean (Virginia) Ashbrook (Claremore, OK), and Nellie Perkins (Yukon, OK), numerous nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, her only child Lenard (Aurora) McKenzie and two grandchildren, Mearon and London McKenzie (Farmington, NM).

There will be a memorial service Saturday, November 12, at 11:00 a.m. at Farmington Funeral Home, 2111 W. Apache St., Farmington, NM.