Hilda Marie Syme

Hilda Marie Syme departed from this earth to begin her newly restored life in heaven on August 20, 2021. She owes this to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Marie was born in Laurel, Mississippi in 1922 to Laurence and Hilda DeBoxtel, and lived in Florida and San Benito, Texas before moving to Albuquerque with her mother in 1939. She graduated the following year from Albuquerque High School, and three years later met the love of her life, George Syme. They were married within months of meeting in 1943 and George was immediately sent overseas serving as a B-17 bombardier with the 8th Air Force based in England. On his fourth mission the plane was shot down and George spent the rest of his time in a German POW camp until he was liberated. George received his honorable discharge the day after Christmas 1945, and he and Marie operated a small cafe on Lankershim Blvd in Hollywood, California before moving to Albuquerque. Marie worked at Kirtland AFB during the war, and New Mexico School Supply. She briefly worked at Albuquerque National Bank before joining Sandia National Labs in April 1957.

Marie was an avid artist and was always doodling while on the phone. She became interested in painting (oil and watercolors). She was also an expert seamstress and was considered a fashion plate all her life. She relished playing bridge, traveling, and reading. She enjoyed golf in the summer at Los Altos, Arroyo Del Oso, and Tanoan Country Club, and skiing in the winter. She enjoyed her family and served as Guardian while her daughters were active in Job's Daughters Bethel #4. Marie was an excellent cook and treated her family to Sunday dinner after church for many years. She was an active member of Hoffmantown Church and the Jim Smith Sunday School class, where she took great pleasure hosting the "Friday Night Fun on Saturday Night" activities at her home. She was also an active member of Adah Chapter #5-Order of the Eastern Star, and Yucca Temple #74-Daughters of the Nile. She received her degree in English from the University of Albuquerque in 1984, and retired from Sandia Labs in April 1985.

She is survived by her younger sister, Yvonne (Bonnie) M. Conley; half-brother, Larry DeBoxtel; half-sister, Carol Hamilton; daughters, Vicki Smith (Jim) and Kathi Case (Roger); grandchildren, Scott Smith (Rachel), Heidi Foulkrod (Brett), Chris Case (Katie), Kelli Medina (Felipe); and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Laurence DeBoxtel, Hilda Johnston; and her husband of 64 years, George E. (Pappy) Syme for whom she was a caregiver during his later years. We rejoice over her life and are grateful that she was a believer in Jesus Christ. Special thanks for her loving care during the last year of her life by Charlene, Faye, Justine, Sue, Dawn and Zorah at VILA Teakwood. A memorial service will be held at FRENCH-Wyoming on November 13, 2021 at 11am. A reception will follow at Hoffmantown Church. Interment at the Santa Fe National Cemetery will take place next year.