Fay DiDomenico age 96, of Raton, NM, passed away Sunday March 8, 2015 in Raton. She was born November 26, 1918 in Cove City, Arkansas the daughter of William Chester and Madge Fears-Swearingen.
Fay grew up on a dairy farm close to Chester, Arkansas, where cows were milked by hand morning and night. Being the only girl, she helped her mother with the cooking and taking care of a large garden. It was at this early age she gained the love for cooking and cultivating vegetable and flower gardens. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting and quilting.
In 1941, Fay traveled to Pecos, Texas to visit an aunt and uncle. While there, her cousin set her up on a blind date with a young man named, Charles DiDomenico, and after a whirlwind courting, they married in Carlsbad, NM. Soon after, Charles was drafted into World War II and was stationed near Santa Maria, Ca, where they resided until he was discharged. Fay and Charles then moved back to his hometown of Dawson, NM. He worked at the mine and she took care of their two children. When Dawson closed in 1950, they moved to Springer where they purchased a service station. There they worked hard taking care of their business, raising their children., and spent time hunting and fishing, camping and making many happy memories with family and friends.
After Charles passed away, Fay sold the business and moved back to Arkansas to care for her mother. Her grandchildren enjoyed spending time in the summers with her. In the late hot afternoon, she would take them to the creek to swim and play in the cool water. While there, she grew her large garden and all reaped the rewards of her hard work in the canned goodies she shared with her family. In 1992, Fay once again returned to New Mexico to be close to her children and grandchildren. Anytime you went to visit Fay, she always wanted to feed you or give you something to drink. She prided herself in her cooking and baking recipes. She loved her fried chicken and you could bet on special occasions, a carrot cake would be made. If ever a woman lived her faith, it was Fay. She will live in our memories as a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, friend and neighbor.
Fay is preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles G. DiDomenico Sr., brothers, James Chester Swearingen and wife Dorothy, and Conrad Ferrell Swearingen, brothers-in-law Joe Didomenico, Nick (Margie) Didomenico and Pat (Elsie) DiDomenico, sisters-in-law Sue DiDomenico and Adeline (Stephen) Starkovich In-Laws Clemente and Anna DiDomenico, nieces, Gail Frances Swearingen and Joyce Ann Moody. She is survived by her children Charles G. DiDomenico Jr and wife Rita and Virginia A. Mack all of Raton, NM, grandchildren Rene Ortiz and husband Andy of Raton, Jerry DiDomenico and wife Jennifer of Colorado Springs, CO, Robin Mack Haynes and husband Darrel of Lovington, NM and Ronnie Mack and wife Tammie of Trinidad, CO., great grandchildren Matthew Ortiz, Kelli Ortiz and Madison Baker, Nieces Connie Sue Crowley and husband Hayden of Chester, AR., Barbara Jean Beitz and husband Clifford of Welling, OK., Deborah DiDomenico of Highlands Ranch, CO., and Stephanie Starkovich of Lubbock, TX., nephews Jimmy Swearingen of Kurtistown HI, Robert Swearingen of Clarksville, TN., Paul Starkovich and wife Gloria of Trinidad, CO., and cousin Edith Terry of Nevada.
Funeral services will be Thursday March 12, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. at the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Mark Crotinger officiating, burial will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Raton.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements and celebration of love for Fay DiDomenico are under the direction of the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home of Raton.
