Eleanor Gose Wootten passed away peacefully at her home in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, on Sunday April 12, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 87 years old.

Born on January 23, 1939, to Elliott and Eleanor Gose at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, Eleanor lived a long, vibrant life marked by intelligence, humor, strength, curiosity, and deep love for her family and the natural world. She attended New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, where she met the love of her life, Tom Wootten. Together they built a life centered on family, adventure, and enduring devotion.

Eleanor was a remarkable wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved fiercely and gave generously, always ready to offer herself to the people she cared about. She was also a woman of conviction and great strength, never afraid to stand and fight for what she believed in.

A passionate birdwatcher and conservationist, Eleanor found joy in sharing the wonders of nature with others. She loved teaching people how to identify birds, often reminding them to first, bird by ear, to listen before looking, because a birdsong reaches you before sight does. Her love of birds shaped much of her life's work. Through her involvement with the Audubon Society, she helped educate children about the natural world, nurturing in them a sense of curiosity and respect for creation. She also founded the Hummingbird Connection, a citizen science group in New Mexico devoted to tracking and monitoring hummingbirds, creating both knowledge and community through her efforts.

Eleanor was also an avid traveler, a lover of games, and someone whose wit could light up a room. She enjoyed Scrabble and Yahtzee and was known for her wicked sense of humor, infectious laugh, and unforgettable timing. Even in ordinary moments, she brought surprise and delight to those around her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas Henry Wootten Sr., her eldest son, Thomas Henry Wootten Jr., her parents, Elliott and Eleanor Gose; and her brothers, Elliott Gose and Jim Gose.

She is survived by her children, Marianne, David, and Margaret; her brother, David, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were deeply touched by her.

Eleanor will be remembered as a strong and loving matriarch, an adventurer at heart, a gifted teacher, and a woman whose presence left a lasting mark on all who knew her. Her family will carry forward her stories, her laughter, her love of birds, and the many memories she created over a beautiful life.

A service to honor Eleanor's life will be held at FRENCH - Rio Rancho Chapel, on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026, at 11:00 am. Family and friends are invited to gather to remember, grieve, and celebrate the extraordinary woman she was.