Christine Mahannah, 104, long-time resident of Raton, passed away peacefully at her home with the comfort of her family by her side, on Sunday, November 21, 2021. She was born April 6, 1917, in the coal mining town of Van Houten, NM the same day that the United States declared war against Germany (WWI). She was the last surviving sibling of 6 children born to Yugoslavian immigrants Pete Pesikan and Jennie (Krivokapich) Pesikan. She was also preceded in death by her husband Earl Mahannah and her beloved son Myles “Booty” Lark and her daughter Mary Jane Lannon.
Her husband was a railroader and they lived in Lamy, NM for several years during the ’50s and established a lifelong friendship with their neighbors the Wooten’s. The railroad families that lived there during that time are depicted in a book authored by Janelle Wooten McQuitty “More Than a Whistle Stop”. Christine loved reading the book recalling all of the fond memories. Christine was blessed with good health most of her life surviving a broken hip at the age of 99 and was presented with a Centenarian Certificate from the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board at her 100th Birthday party. She was a homemaker and her family was her life. She was very gentle, kind, caring, and always put the needs of others first. It did not matter who you were or what time of day, she would always ask if she could get you a cup of coffee or fix you something to eat. She was very humble and believed that faith, family, and friends were the keys to true happiness. She often told her family that she “Loved them to the moon and back” and would put the sign of the cross on their forehead with her finger. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her two sons Frankie and Dickie Mahannah of Raton, daughter-in-law Paula Lark also of Raton, grandchildren Shenan Lark, Bryan Lark, Justin Lark (Leslie), Michael Anne Antonucci (Alan), and Pamela Lannon. Great-grandchildren: Ivy, Avery, Cadence, and Ruby, along with many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on December 22, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Raton, 236 S. 3rd Street with Pastor Cory Flanagin officiating. Burial will follow at the Fairmont Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friends of the Library, c/o Arthur Johnson Memorial Library, 244 Cook Ave., Raton NM 87740. Arrangements are by Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
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Christine Mahannah and her family moved a couple houses from our family and into my heart before I celebrated my 9th birthday and never left. So many memories crowd in that they block expression.
Mrs. Mahannah was such a blessing and influence in my life through the years…A couple memories from my childhood: Rather than join in gossip or speak ill of someone, she’d laugh the tinsiest bit and say, “But what can you do, kid?” She had the principle, “Never return a dish empty.” We never could take her a plate of cookies, etc., but what she’d return the plate with something; so we adopted her example. Sometimes when someone gave her a gift, she’d give it away–seems it brought her more pleasure to give than to keep. She and my mother exchanged birthday gifts as long as my mom lived–cash in a card in the years they lived miles apart–but it was a remembering one another. Her care for others seemed to always outweigh her care for her own needs, & yet, in spite of that, she lived to 104! I’m rambling; so I’ll hush, but my dear friend and her influence will remain loved within me.