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Nye-Thi'ock

Nye-Thi'ock Willow

d. March 27, 2021

Nye-Thi’ock Michael David Willow , 36, a resident of Santa Clara, passed away on Saturday, March 27, 2021. Nye-Thi’ock was born on July 22, 1984 to Thomas and Debra Willow. He is preceded in death by his grandpa, Aloysious Willow Sr.; uncles, Aloysious Willow Jr. and Alvin “Pops’ Duran; aunts, Donna Gutierrez, Sue Duran and Joyce Browning; cousins, Jackie Gutierrez, Raymond Mac-King, and Naayaitch Friday.

Nye-Thi’ock loved cooking, this became his passion at a young age where he would put everything together to make a meal for his family. This is what lead to him going to culinary school at the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon where he graduated in 2012. Nye-Thi’ock worked as a chef in many places throughout his career. He was a chef at the Eldorado Hotel and Spa, Blue erionHeron Brewing Co., Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado, Banquette Chef and Sous Chef and the Santa Claran Hotel and Casino and a Sous Chef at Ojo Santa Fe. He attended high school at the Santa Fe Indian School and graduated in 2001. Nye-Thi’ock was a caring, friendly, and loving person.  He made friends with everyone anywhere he went.  If he did not know you, he made sure to introduce himself and make himself known and would immediately became friends. He also loved the outdoors, camping, spending time by the river, fishing and especially mountain climbing. He also loved soccer and was a huge fan of United, Manchester United and the Portland Timbers. He was also a huge fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Chicago Cubs.  He spent his time watching the game with his mom and enjoying making meals for game day. Nye-Thi’ock loved his son dearly.  Rio was everything to him and enjoyed spending every chance he could with him. He loved listening to country music and was very fond of the connection he had to the music of Dierks Bentley.

Nye-Thi’ock is survived by his parents, Thomas and Debra Willow; grandma, Marie A. Tafoya; son, Rio Harrison Willow; dear friend and co-parent, Shay Zamora; sisters, Elaine Suazo-Miller (Mekko), Amy N. Willow (David), Angie M. Naranjo (Jerome); nieces Thiala Suazo (Leonel), Katharine “Katt Katt” Willow and Theia Willow; nephews, Leo Carro-Suazo and Lucas Willow. As well as numerous family and friends from the Santa Clara Pueblo, San Ildefonso Pueblo and Wind River Reservation, Arapahoe, Wyoming.

A public visitation will be held on Monday, March 29, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home. Burial will take place on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. at the Santa Clara Pueblo Cemetery. Serving the family as pallbearers are David Moquino, Bill Nutima, Ken Tohee, Brendon Tafoya, Dave Roybal­­­­, Paul Tioux, Iky Cata, Jerome Naranjo, Leonel Carro, Eric Schwiner and Tristin Tafoya.

The family of Nye-Thi’ock Michael- David Willow have entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Nye-Thi'ock Willow, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Public Visitation

Monday, March 29, 2021

6:00 - 8:00 pm (Mountain time)

DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory

623 N Railroad Ave, Española, NM 87532

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Burial

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Starts at 8:00 am (Mountain time)

Santa Clara Pueblo Cemetery

, Santa Clara Pueblo, NM 87532

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