Mary Arvell Eidson

Mary Arvell Eidson age 96 passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert H. (Bob) Eidson, her daughter Donna Heustess and her sisters and brothers. She is survived by her granddaughter Lori Heustess and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arvell grew up in west Texas working at various cotton farms during the depression. Her mother died when she was six years old and she was raised by an older sister. She ultimately moved to Winslow, Arizona with her older sister where they worked at Harvey House Hotels and also ran a boarding house for Santa Fe Railway crews that were moving war materials and troops west during World War II. This is where she met her husband Bob who was a crew member on the railroad. They were married over 60 years.

After the war Arvell and Bob moved to Albuquerque where she was a wife, mother, and business owner. They owned and operated a Chevron Gas and Repair Station until they moved to Chama, New Mexico where they owned a coin operated laundry for 25 years. They both loved the outdoors, camping, fishing, snowmobiling, enjoying the wildlife and the beautiful northern New Mexico mountains. Ultimately, they retired back to Albuquerque where Arvell continued her hobbies of oil painting, quilting, and cultivating beautiful flowers in her garden. Arvell was a pioneer woman but not in the traditional sense. She could hunt, fish, and shoot a revolver with the best of men. Her true pioneer spirit as a woman was that she was a smart business woman in a man’s world. She was dedicated, opinionated and independent at a time when these were not fashionable characteristics for a woman. She was a trendsetter and a go getter in the days long gone. Her family and friends will always remember her and never forget her spirit.

A private service has already taken place.

Please visit the online guestbook for Arvell at www.FrenchFunerals.com.