Lora Lucille Northrup Lusk, beloved sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. Died peacefully on October 10, 2024, in Raton, New Mexico, at the age of 92 years old.
Lora (known to her family as “Buzzy”) was born on July 24, 1932, to Thelma (Robinson) Northrup and Harold Northrup, in Las Vegas, NM. She grew up in Miami, NM, and Springer, NM, and graduated high school in Springer in 1949. She attended New Mexico Highlands University, in Las Vegas, for a short time before returning home to Springer.
Lora worked for Colfax County Land Assessor’s office, where she met her future husband, Vance Lusk. Lora and Vance were married for 36 years before Vance preceded her in death in 1999. Lora and Vance lived in Des Moines and Folsom, NM.
Lora often rode with Vance on Johnson’s Mesa helping him work the cattle that were entrusted to his care. After she retired from being, a “Ranch hand”, she went to work for the Des Moines Public Schools, in 1971. She worked as a secretary to the school Superintendant and fulfilled many other administrative duties. She retired after almost 25 years of service.
Lora was an avid Bridge player, belonging to many Bridge clubs in Raton and Folsom. She was devoted to her faith and played the piano for Sunday church services at the Methodist Church in Des Moines for many years.
Lora’s love for animals was legendary. She cared for many animals through the years and was known to name certain cows and one baby bull after her sister, nieces,and brother-in-law. She loved her dogs and horses but had a special affinity for cats. She had many house cats over the years and provided food and shelter for stray cats later in her life.
Lora was preceded in death by her beloved Vance, her sister Frances, and multiple uncles and aunts. She is survived by her half-sister Linda Raybould (Husband David) of Albuquerque, NM, three nieces, Claudia Charlton of Belfair, WA, Lora Conley of Lincolnwood, IL, and Cindy Charlton of Wheat Ridge, CO; two special first cousins, Jacque (Robinson) Garcia of Maxwell, NM, and Paula (Smith) Brousseau of Bernalillo,NM. She is also survived by four great-nephews, many cousins, and many friends.
Lora requested that a charitable donation to your favorite charity be made in remembrance of her. Services for Lora will be held at a later date.
