Margaret Yazzie

Margaret Yazzie, 93, passed away on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, surrounded by family and loved ones. Born on April 8, 1928, she was Ta´ba’a’ha´ (Water's Edge Clan) and born for Tl'a´a´shchi´'i´ (Red Bottom Clan). Her maternal grandfather was Hooghan La´ni´ (Many Hogans Clan) and her paternal grandfather was To´di´ch'i´i'nii (Bitter Water Clan).

Margaret was an award-winning Master Navajo Weaver, specializing in the Two Grey Hills style of tapestry weaving. Born and raised in Newcomb, Margaret married Wilson Yazzie, They shared an amazing life together until his death in 1987, raising ten children and building a home in Newcomb. Margaret learned to weave as a young girl and achieved the highest status attainable in her art form, Master Navajo Weaver. Her skills were derived from a quest for perfection, evident in each one of her rugs. She instilled her rug weaving skills into her daughters, and grandkids. Margaret’s weaving was bought by many a quote by the late Dr. Arch H. Gould “Dear Margaret, your best rugs are possibly the greatest woven today. You are a great weaver and Teacher.” The majority of her rugs was collected by the late Arch H. Gould and donated to the Grand Junction Colorado museum. Margaret’s love of weaving has created many treasures for people who loved her art. She has touched countless lives and made many friends through her unique, extremely rare, highly sought after Two Grey Hills Tapestries. Many of Margaret’s tapestries have been showcased throughout world in museums and numerous book publications. Margaret was also an avid seamstress in which she took great pride and creativity. She made her own clothing and for her children. Margaret also made many quilts to raise money for her church.

Margaret was a Gold Star Mother, losing a son killed in action in the Vietnam War has changed her life forever. She was never the same afterwards. Margaret participated proudly in the local Newcomb Veterans organization. Margaret was happiest when she cooked a Sunday meal for her entire family. A tradition of family gathering after every Sunday morning church service. Margaret was a devout Pentecostal and a proud member of the Newcomb Lighthouse United Pentecostal Church. She read her Bible every day in Navajo and attended church faithfully until her health made her unable. A habit developed in her mind was always on the Lord. Always bold to share the “Truth” with others and how beautiful it is to serve the Lord and Apostolic of “Oneness”. Margaret witnessed to many people everywhere she went. Margaret was baptized along with her children in Captain Tom Lake, Newcomb, NM by the late Rev. Bill. D. Havens on June 12, 1966. Margaret never wavered from the Lord. Always made sure the church was cleaned and ready for the next service. Always paid her tithes and made her trips Sunday mornings to pick up people to attend church. What a legacy. II Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV), "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day."

Margaret Yazzie was preceded in death by her sons Paul J. Yazzie, Jones Lee Yazzie-USMC LC, Arnold Yazzie, daughter Nora Yazzie, Husband Wilson Yazzie, Parents Susie Tom and Jones ShortyBegay, Sister Ruth Teller, Brothers Raymond Tom, Alvin Tom, and Amos Tom.

Loved by her family, friends and community and the lives she touched through her ministry. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Sarah Zah (Bruce) of Newcomb, Lula Davis (Simpson) of Farmington, NM, Gilbert Yazzie of Gallup, NM, Ramona Yazzie (Mike) of Newcomb, NM, Rev. Melvin Yazzie (Doris), Dr. Gladys Tracy of Kirtland, NM. 20 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great- grandchildren, and 1 great great great grandchild.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 at the United Pentecostal Church, 1900 N. Fairview Ave., Farmington, NM 87401. Internment will take place shortly after at Kirtland-Fruitland Cemetery in Kirtland, NM. Margaret Yazzie is in the care of Kirtland Cope Memorial Chapel Kirtland, NM 87417, (505) 598-9538. All letters of condolences can be sent to Yazzie-Family, 40 CR 6211, Kirtland, NM 87417.