Geraldine Mae Harney

OHKAY OWINGEH - Geraldine Harney, 61, passed away Saturday, July 26th, 2025, after a short unexpected illness.

Geraldine was born on March 2nd, 1964, on the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona to parents Jerry and Mary Frances Harney. It was here that she spent the first few years of her life before moving with her family to Ohkay Owingeh. While in Ohkay Owingeh, she went to school at the San Juan Day School, where her mom was a teacher. She would later go on to graduate from St. Catherine’s High School in 1982.

After high school, Geraldine continued her educational journey, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree from the College of Santa Fe in 1988. During this time, she began working at the Indian Health Service (IHS) office in Albuquerque. She worked here for 5 years until she was transferred to the Phoenix office in 1992. It was here in Phoenix that Geraldine built her life. She would go on to buy a home, earn a Master’s Degree from the University of Phoenix, fulfill a long 26 year career with the financial department at IHS, and welcome the birth of her son Kyle. After living in Phoenix for 26 years, Geraldine moved back to Ohkay Owingeh in 2018 as she dealt with some health issues, but her heart was always in Phoenix.

Geraldine was an avid sports fan, and could often be seen in the front row supporting her favorite teams, the Arizona Caridnals, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Besides sports, she loved attending concerts, especially to see her favorite rocks bands and artists. She loved her family, and will always be remembered for her humor, sarcasm, and smile.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Frances Harney; partner Melvin J. Chee; grandmother Aileen Harney; grandfather Jose Louis Cata; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She is survived by beloved son Kyle J. Harney-Chee, father Jerry Harney, sister Vanesa Cruz (husband Clifford), sister Regina Harney, brother Robert Hernandez Jr., niece Aileen Lopez (husband Marcus), niece Caitlyn Cruz (boyfriend Hector Herrera), niece Dorian Cruz, niece Crystal Cruz, niece Reyna Hernandez, nephews Isaiah and Ruben Hernandez, and nieces Kailee “Sugar Plum” and Autumn “Sweet Pea” Lopez.

A Public Viewing will be held at DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola, NM, on Friday, August 1, 2025, from 2:00-4:00 pm. An 8 day mass is also scheduled for 4:30 pm on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at the San Juan Bautista Catholic Church in Ohkay Owingeh. 

On behalf of the family, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation for all of the phone calls, condolences, kind words, and memories people have shared of Geraldine. She will be greatly missed.

The family of Geraldine Harney has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory  of the beautiful Espanola Valley.  505-747-7477