Janis Baca Schwartzenberg, 52, passed away on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 near Alamo, NM. She was born March 23, 1956 in Albuquerque, NM to Robert and Frances Baca. Janis taught school for the past 15 yrs. She taught for nine years in the Socorro Public School District and the last six years in Alamo. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Donn Schwartzenberg of Alamo; son, Shawn Schwartzenberg and wife, Mel of Socorro, NM; daughter, Christine Schwartzenberg of Socorro; brother, Robert Baca and wife, Nancy of Albuquerque, NM; sister, Cynthia Gonzales and husband, Sammy of Colorado Springs, CO; granddaughter, Destiny Sposito of New York; and many other relatives and friends. A Rosary will be recited on Monday, December 15, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at San Miguel Catholic Church in Socorro with Celebration of the Funeral Mass immediately following. Inurnment will be in the San Miguel Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers are Shane Guerro, Shawn Guerro, Gregory Apachito, Mario Apachito, Tranquilo Apachito, Martin Ganadonegro, Kevin Apache and all other beloved ANSB students of Ms. S. Cremation arrangements are under the care of Steadman-Hall Funeral Home, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM. 575 835-1530.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Alamo teacher dies in rollover
T.S. Last El Defensor Chieftain General Manager
Winter weather cost an Alamo Navajo Community Schools teacher her life early Tuesday morning.
Janis Schwartzenberg, 42 (sic)[she was actually 52], died in a single car accident on NM 169 when the vehicle she was driving slid off an icy road and came to rest upside down in a crevice along the side of the road.
New Mexico State Police Capt. Geno Trujillo said the accident occurred shortly after 5 a.m. yesterday (Tuesday) near Mile Marker 21, between Alamo Indian Reservation and Magdalena. The accident was discovered by a Department of Transportation driver operating a snow plow.
Schwartzenberg, who served as coordinator for the K-12 special education program at Alamo Navajo School, was pronounced dead at the scene.
"She came around a corner and lost control on roads that were snow-packed and slick," said Trujillo, adding that there was probably about one inch of snow on the ground at the time. "The snow and ice was definitely a contributing factor."
Trujillo said Schwartzenberg was traveling east in a 2001 Ford Taurus owned by the school and was wearing a seat belt.
Although not involved in the accident, two other people required medical treatment as a result of the crash.
The teacher's husband, Donn Schwartzenberg, who is also employed by Alamo Navajo Schools as a high school math teacher, arrived on the scene after hearing the news that his wife might be involved. Upon learning that she was the victim, Trujillo said Donn Schwartzenberg became physically ill and was taken to Socorro General Hospital.
Alamo-Navajo Community School Superintendent Alfonso Garcia said that the school's principal, Brenda Baca-Miller, who is Janis' first cousin, suffered an emotional breakdown that required her to be taken by ambulance to the health clinic.
Garcia said Janis Schwartzenberg was driving a vehicle owned by the Alamo-Navajo School Board heading to a meeting in Ft. Wingate. After learning of the accident, the superintendent drove to the scene.
"As near as I could tell, it was black ice and she lost control and ended upside down wedged in an arroyo," he said.
Garcia said the Schwarzenbergs have lived on the reservation for about six years and were teachers at the school for at least that long. He said Janis was highly respected by the Alamo community.
"Janis was a champion of all students, especially the special ed kids," he said. "She would fight tooth and nail for all the educational opportunities afforded them. She was dearly loved by the children and well liked by parents and her colleagues at the school."
Garcia said the school moved quickly to mobilize a crisis team made up of school counselors and health professionals at the health clinic. Magdalena Schools also sent counselors to Alamo to assist.
Soon after school started, the student body was called to the gym and informed of the news, after which a Navajo prayer was spoken.
"Many of the students were silent and many were stoic," Garcia said. "Several became emotionally distraught and broke down. There was a lot of hugging, holding and comforting."
Garcia said the shock of the news came in two phases. First there was the immediate reaction of the students. After a couple hours, the shock hit the teachers and other school employees, requiring the counselors to direct their attention to them.
Janis Schwartzenberg previously was a teacher with Socorro Consolidated Schools from 1992 to 2000
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Alamo teacher dies in rollover
T.S. Last El Defensor Chieftain General Manager
Winter weather cost an Alamo Navajo Community Schools teacher her life early Tuesday morning.
Janis Schwartzenberg, 42 (sic)[she was actually 52], died in a single car accident on NM 169 when the vehicle she was driving slid off an icy road and came to rest upside down in a crevice along the side of the road.
New Mexico State Police Capt. Geno Trujillo said the accident occurred shortly after 5 a.m. yesterday (Tuesday) near Mile Marker 21, between Alamo Indian Reservation and Magdalena. The accident was discovered by a Department of Transportation driver operating a snow plow.
Schwartzenberg, who served as coordinator for the K-12 special education program at Alamo Navajo School, was pronounced dead at the scene.
"She came around a corner and lost control on roads that were snow-packed and slick," said Trujillo, adding that there was probably about one inch of snow on the ground at the time. "The snow and ice was definitely a contributing factor."
Trujillo said Schwartzenberg was traveling east in a 2001 Ford Taurus owned by the school and was wearing a seat belt.
Although not involved in the accident, two other people required medical treatment as a result of the crash.
The teacher's husband, Donn Schwartzenberg, who is also employed by Alamo Navajo Schools as a high school math teacher, arrived on the scene after hearing the news that his wife might be involved. Upon learning that she was the victim, Trujillo said Donn Schwartzenberg became physically ill and was taken to Socorro General Hospital.
Alamo-Navajo Community School Superintendent Alfonso Garcia said that the school's principal, Brenda Baca-Miller, who is Janis' first cousin, suffered an emotional breakdown that required her to be taken by ambulance to the health clinic.
Garcia said Janis Schwartzenberg was driving a vehicle owned by the Alamo-Navajo School Board heading to a meeting in Ft. Wingate. After learning of the accident, the superintendent drove to the scene.
"As near as I could tell, it was black ice and she lost control and ended upside down wedged in an arroyo," he said.
Garcia said the Schwarzenbergs have lived on the reservation for about six years and were teachers at the school for at least that long. He said Janis was highly respected by the Alamo community.
"Janis was a champion of all students, especially the special ed kids," he said. "She would fight tooth and nail for all the educational opportunities afforded them. She was dearly loved by the children and well liked by parents and her colleagues at the school."
Garcia said the school moved quickly to mobilize a crisis team made up of school counselors and health professionals at the health clinic. Magdalena Schools also sent counselors to Alamo to assist.
Soon after school started, the student body was called to the gym and informed of the news, after which a Navajo prayer was spoken.
"Many of the students were silent and many were stoic," Garcia said. "Several became emotionally distraught and broke down. There was a lot of hugging, holding and comforting."
Garcia said the shock of the news came in two phases. First there was the immediate reaction of the students. After a couple hours, the shock hit the teachers and other school employees, requiring the counselors to direct their attention to them.
Janis Schwartzenberg previously was a teacher with Socorro Consolidated Schools from 1992 to 2000
Janis Baca Schwartzenberg, 52, passed away on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 near Alamo, NM. She was born March 23, 1956 in Albuquerque, NM to Robert and Frances Baca. Janis taught school for the past 15 yrs. She taught for nine years in the Socorro Public School District and the last six years in Alamo. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Donn Schwartzenberg of Alamo; son, Shawn Schwartzenberg and wife, Mel of Socorro, NM; daughter, Christine Schwartzenberg of Socorro; brother, Robert Baca and wife, Nancy of Albuquerque, NM; sister, Cynthia Gonzales and husband, Sammy of Colorado Springs, CO; granddaughter, Destiny Sposito of New York; and many other relatives and friends. A Rosary will be recited on Monday, December 15, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at San Miguel Catholic Church in Socorro with Celebration of the Funeral Mass immediately following. Inurnment will be in the San Miguel Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers are Shane Guerro, Shawn Guerro, Gregory Apachito, Mario Apachito, Tranquilo Apachito, Martin Ganadonegro, Kevin Apache and all other beloved ANSB students of Ms. S. Cremation arrangements are under the care of Steadman-Hall Funeral Home, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM. 575 835-1530.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Alamo teacher dies in rollover
T.S. Last El Defensor Chieftain General Manager
Winter weather cost an Alamo Navajo Community Schools teacher her life early Tuesday morning.
Janis Schwartzenberg, 42 (sic)[she was actually 52], died in a single car accident on NM 169 when the vehicle she was driving slid off an icy road and came to rest upside down in a crevice along the side of the road.
New Mexico State Police Capt. Geno Trujillo said the accident occurred shortly after 5 a.m. yesterday (Tuesday) near Mile Marker 21, between Alamo Indian Reservation and Magdalena. The accident was discovered by a Department of Transportation driver operating a snow plow.
Schwartzenberg, who served as coordinator for the K-12 special education program at Alamo Navajo School, was pronounced dead at the scene.
"She came around a corner and lost control on roads that were snow-packed and slick," said Trujillo, adding that there was probably about one inch of snow on the ground at the time. "The snow and ice was definitely a contributing factor."
Trujillo said Schwartzenberg was traveling east in a 2001 Ford Taurus owned by the school and was wearing a seat belt.
Although not involved in the accident, two other people required medical treatment as a result of the crash.
The teacher's husband, Donn Schwartzenberg, who is also employed by Alamo Navajo Schools as a high school math teacher, arrived on the scene after hearing the news that his wife might be involved. Upon learning that she was the victim, Trujillo said Donn Schwartzenberg became physically ill and was taken to Socorro General Hospital.
Alamo-Navajo Community School Superintendent Alfonso Garcia said that the school's principal, Brenda Baca-Miller, who is Janis' first cousin, suffered an emotional breakdown that required her to be taken by ambulance to the health clinic.
Garcia said Janis Schwartzenberg was driving a vehicle owned by the Alamo-Navajo School Board heading to a meeting in Ft. Wingate. After learning of the accident, the superintendent drove to the scene.
"As near as I could tell, it was black ice and she lost control and ended upside down wedged in an arroyo," he said.
Garcia said the Schwarzenbergs have lived on the reservation for about six years and were teachers at the school for at least that long. He said Janis was highly respected by the Alamo community.
"Janis was a champion of all students, especially the special ed kids," he said. "She would fight tooth and nail for all the educational opportunities afforded them. She was dearly loved by the children and well liked by parents and her colleagues at the school."
Garcia said the school moved quickly to mobilize a crisis team made up of school counselors and health professionals at the health clinic. Magdalena Schools also sent counselors to Alamo to assist.
Soon after school started, the student body was called to the gym and informed of the news, after which a Navajo prayer was spoken.
"Many of the students were silent and many were stoic," Garcia said. "Several became emotionally distraught and broke down. There was a lot of hugging, holding and comforting."
Garcia said the shock of the news came in two phases. First there was the immediate reaction of the students. After a couple hours, the shock hit the teachers and other school employees, requiring the counselors to direct their attention to them.
Janis Schwartzenberg previously was a teacher with Socorro Consolidated Schools from 1992 to 2000
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Alamo teacher dies in rollover
T.S. Last El Defensor Chieftain General Manager
Winter weather cost an Alamo Navajo Community Schools teacher her life early Tuesday morning.
Janis Schwartzenberg, 42 (sic)[she was actually 52], died in a single car accident on NM 169 when the vehicle she was driving slid off an icy road and came to rest upside down in a crevice along the side of the road.
New Mexico State Police Capt. Geno Trujillo said the accident occurred shortly after 5 a.m. yesterday (Tuesday) near Mile Marker 21, between Alamo Indian Reservation and Magdalena. The accident was discovered by a Department of Transportation driver operating a snow plow.
Schwartzenberg, who served as coordinator for the K-12 special education program at Alamo Navajo School, was pronounced dead at the scene.
"She came around a corner and lost control on roads that were snow-packed and slick," said Trujillo, adding that there was probably about one inch of snow on the ground at the time. "The snow and ice was definitely a contributing factor."
Trujillo said Schwartzenberg was traveling east in a 2001 Ford Taurus owned by the school and was wearing a seat belt.
Although not involved in the accident, two other people required medical treatment as a result of the crash.
The teacher's husband, Donn Schwartzenberg, who is also employed by Alamo Navajo Schools as a high school math teacher, arrived on the scene after hearing the news that his wife might be involved. Upon learning that she was the victim, Trujillo said Donn Schwartzenberg became physically ill and was taken to Socorro General Hospital.
Alamo-Navajo Community School Superintendent Alfonso Garcia said that the school's principal, Brenda Baca-Miller, who is Janis' first cousin, suffered an emotional breakdown that required her to be taken by ambulance to the health clinic.
Garcia said Janis Schwartzenberg was driving a vehicle owned by the Alamo-Navajo School Board heading to a meeting in Ft. Wingate. After learning of the accident, the superintendent drove to the scene.
"As near as I could tell, it was black ice and she lost control and ended upside down wedged in an arroyo," he said.
Garcia said the Schwarzenbergs have lived on the reservation for about six years and were teachers at the school for at least that long. He said Janis was highly respected by the Alamo community.
"Janis was a champion of all students, especially the special ed kids," he said. "She would fight tooth and nail for all the educational opportunities afforded them. She was dearly loved by the children and well liked by parents and her colleagues at the school."
Garcia said the school moved quickly to mobilize a crisis team made up of school counselors and health professionals at the health clinic. Magdalena Schools also sent counselors to Alamo to assist.
Soon after school started, the student body was called to the gym and informed of the news, after which a Navajo prayer was spoken.
"Many of the students were silent and many were stoic," Garcia said. "Several became emotionally distraught and broke down. There was a lot of hugging, holding and comforting."
Garcia said the shock of the news came in two phases. First there was the immediate reaction of the students. After a couple hours, the shock hit the teachers and other school employees, requiring the counselors to direct their attention to them.
Janis Schwartzenberg previously was a teacher with Socorro Consolidated Schools from 1992 to 2000
See more Schwartzenberg or Baca memorials in:
- San Miguel Cemetery Schwartzenberg or Baca
- Socorro Schwartzenberg or Baca
- Socorro County Schwartzenberg or Baca
- New Mexico Schwartzenberg or Baca
- USA Schwartzenberg or Baca
- Find a Grave Schwartzenberg or Baca
