Lois Mayland
July 2, 2022
Lois Mayland 1945-2022
Born in Dillon, Montana, Lois moved to New Mexico with her family when she was five years old; first to Los Alamos then settling in Albuquerque. She graduated from Highland High School and was active in the JFK campaign for president. She earned her bachelor's degree in Education at the University of New Mexico and was recruited to teach in Tulare, CA for a few years. Lois returned to UNM to earn her graduate degree in Counseling. She spent the rest of her career with Albuquerque Public Schools as a counselor, first at Rio Grande HS (Go Ravens!), retiring from her alma mater, Highland HS (Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!).
One hallmark of Lois’s life was being active in the things she cared about. She was an avid NASCAR fan and attended many races with friends and family and was often heard expounding on her favorite drivers. She loved ballooning and cherished being on the chase crews for Cutie Dink and Whispering Spirit and was always available when needed, no matter how early or how cold.
Once she picked up her first SLR camera, she was seldom without it snapping pictures of balloons; every kind of HS sporting event and vocational clubs; her worldwide travel adventures; family birthdays, holidays, and other days that end in Y. Kodak should have been her corporate sponsor. She played Mahjong and Bridge weekly up until her final days, and even let other people win occasionally. Lois also had an affinity for collecting, whether it was political pins, Native American pottery; art; Beanie Babies, koala bears, or other fun things that showed up at her favorite card store on Lomas.
Another constant in Lois’s career and interests, is that she made friends at every turn. She had a wry sense of humor and was quick to love and fiercely loyal. And though she had no children of her own, as counselor, she was a mother for many, and beloved by her students. She listened, she understood, and she supported.
“She was one tough but great counselor.” - Highland student
“Lois was one of the kindest people I have ever known. She cared for so many and found opportunities students would not have found on their own.” - Highland coworker
“Lois saved me whenever I had a difficult class that needed balancing.” - Highland coworker
“If I wanted something done, I wanted Lois on the committee. She was dedicated, focused, and efficient.” - Rio Grande coworker
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Jennings Mayland and her sisters, Janet Lindberg and Nancy Cole. She is survived by her niece and nephews, their spouses, great nieces and great nephews, Scott Lindberg (Cheryl), Karen Lindberg Jefferson (Kerensa), Jeff Cole (Jessica), Steve Cole (Katie), Kevin Cole (Maura), and great nieces and great nephews, Spencer, Carleigh, Deaven, Michael, Madison, Avery, Lauren, Sara, Harper, Ben, and two she had yet to meet, Trish and Ethan.
No doubt, Lois has also been reunited with her fur kids: Big Red, Charlie, Sweet Sue, and Nantucket.
Thank you to everyone who kept Lois’s spirits buoyed in her final months; stayed overnight; stayed for days; stayed for weeks; made midnight runs…you made it possible for her to stay in her home.
A memorial service for Lois will be held at St. Mark's on The Mesa, 431 Richmond Pl NE., ABQ., NM on Saturday, Aug 13, 2022 at 10:00 am and it can also be live streamed at https://www.stmarksabq.org/online
In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to the Animal Humane Association of New Mexico, 615 Virginia St. SE. Albuquerque, NM 87108 or call 505.255.5523. On line contributions can be made at: https://animalhumanenm.givecloud.co/
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SERVICES
Memorial Service
Saturday, August 13, 2022
10:00 AM
St Marks on the Mesa
431 Richmond Pl. NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico
