Mary Galt Fielder

Mary Lugene Galt Fielder was born in Carlsbad, New Mexico to R.V. and Lucille Pond Galt on May 12, 1933.  She passed away peacefully with family at her side on January 11, 2023.  Mary graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1951 and attended Brenau College in Georgia. She graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.

While providing a loving family home, Mary was also independent and career-orientated, and found joy in teaching elementary school and Special Education. She was an educator for 33 years in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Houston, Texas and Carlsbad, New Mexico, retiring in 1997. Mary was also a docent at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Carlsbad for 15 years providing “Story Time” on the weekends with the zoo’s young attendees. She was a member of PEO (philanthropic education organization) Chapter BB and found special meaning and love in the relationships with her PEO sisters. She was also a member of the First United Methodist Church and the American Contract Bridge League.

Mary was a life-long learner and always up for an animated conversation, no matter what the topic. She loved to spend time with family, play bridge with friends, knit afghans and scarves for her family and friends, solve crossword puzzles, and was an avid baseball fan. Mary enjoyed living in the desert climate of New Mexico and trips to the Big Bend were also a treasured activity. She was an opera aficionado and held season tickets to the Houston Grand Opera for many years, making the long trek from Carlsbad with her husband to attend several performances each year.

Mary is predeceased by her parents, husband, Richard (Dick) H. Fielder and first husband, William Britton Crist, the father of her two children.

She is survived by her sisters, Nancy Galt Sneed and Martha Galt Orcutt. Mary is also survived by her loving children, Britt Crist and wife Pauline, Nancy Crist Welch and husband John, three grandchildren, Ian Crist Welch, Audrey Britton Tate and husband Glen, and Joseph Britton Crist, and one great- grandchild Levi Sebastian Tate, as well as several nieces and nephews (and special feline companion, Pearly Sue). Mary’s unconditional love, warmth, compassion, humor, wisdom and keen sense of wit will be sorely missed by all of her family and friends. The family is especially appreciative of two exceptional caregivers, Fabiola Mendoza Hester of Carlsbad, and Beverly Lee of Bryan, Texas. A private service will be held later this spring. Mary will be buried with her husband in Sam Houston Federal Cemetery in San Antonio. Mary wishes for you to remember her by reading to a child, helping a stranger, and encouraging a young person. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made if desired to the Richard and Mary Fielder Endowment of the Carlsbad Public Library Fund at 113 S. Canyon Carlsbad NM 88220.