- Date Of Birth: March 19, 1939
- Date Of Death: August 1, 2022
- State: New Mexico
On Monday, August 1, 2022, Lu Koury passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She is survived by her daughters, Gina Newton Yarber, Kenna Bolan, and Delese Dellios; sister, Anna Lee Henry; and her treasured grandchildren, Nicole Ara Forbes, Robin Vigil, Paige Rhodes, Alyssa Gaiser, Devon Baldwin, Garrett Lukas Dellios, and Taylor Bolan. She is also survived by her beloved great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Oberg, Vance Oberg, Melody Vigil, Flora Gaiser, Wade Rhodes, Noah Vigil, Oberon Gaiser, Beau Rhodes, and Wyatt Rhodes. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Koury; parents, Morton Gragg and Ruth Long; sisters, Patsy Loomis, Dee Paulson, and Susie Gragg; and grandson, Nikolas Dellios.
Lu will be remembered as a trailblazer for her many professional accomplishments. She was the first woman in New Mexico to achieve the challenging designation of CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) from the National Association of Realtors. This was a stellar achievement and propelled her into prominence in the New Mexico commercial real estate field for many years. Prior to these accomplishments she was an owner of Santa Fe Downs and multiple businesses in Ruidoso, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque.
Lu was born in Portales, New Mexico on Sunday, March 19, 1939, and raised in Ruidoso. She attended Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri and returned to Ruidoso to marry Kenneth Newton and raise her family. She was a thriving member of the Ruidoso community for over 35 years. She moved to Albuquerque in 1978 and was active in her residential and commercial real estate practice along with the Board of Realtors.
Lu loved skiing, playing golf, and tennis. She was a world traveler, accomplished quilter, seamstress, and shared her love through her remarkable cooking. As a talented pianist and teacher, Lu encouraged many children in her life to learn piano skills and music literacy. She was also an active supporter of the arts and delighted in her family’s many artistic achievements. She was fiercely independent, and an inspirational role model who moved through life with love, poise, and grace. She loved her family and friends to the moon and back and they will strive to carry her legacy of generosity forward.
