Maebell Miller Yazzie

Maebell Miller Yazzie, 89 of Kirtland, New Mexico, was called home to heaven on April 9, 2024, in Farmington, New Mexico.

Maebell was born on September 12, 1934, in Carson, New Mexico, to parents David B. & Betty Miller. Born to Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water) and born for Bit’ahnii (Within His Cover). She attended Ignacio boarding school in Colorado until 9^th grade to help care for her siblings. After meeting Wilbert, the two spent 68 years together in marriage full of love, commitment, and companionship. They had seven children.

Maebell began employment at Pioneer Restaurant in Bloomfield, New Mexico as a sous chef for two years, which sparked her passion for baking and cooking. She held employment with Fairchild Semiconductor in Shiprock, New Mexico for four years.

The family moved from Shiprock, New Mexico to Newcomb, New Mexico where they lived for thirty years to farm and raised their family. At the same time, Maebell ventured into the food industry with her husband. The two co-founded Yazzie’s Yummies and Yazzie’s Concessions, attending events such as Santa Fe Indian Market, Taos Powwow, and various Fiesta’s across New Mexico.

After twenty-six years of a thriving food business and mastering her culinary skills, she retired to Kirtland, NM to be home with her recently retired husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She will be remembered for her warmth, generosity, and unwavering love for her family, especially her grandsons, Shawn and Jason, even through adulthood the two continue to address Maebell and Wilbert as “Mom and Dad”.

Maebell’s legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched and the memories she created. We will never forget our mother, Ma’sa’ni, and Nali. She is a guiding light whose spirit will continue to inspire us.

Maebell is preceded by her husband Wilbert W. Yazzie, son Dennis W. Yazzie, daughter JoAnn Yazzie, parents Betty and David B. Miller, brothers David Miller, Jr., George Miller and Fred Miller, sisters Jessie Simpson, Lena Babbit, and Rose Charley, great-great granddaughter Alexis Stephanie Roan.

Maebell is survived by grandsons Shawn D. Yazzie, Jason D. Yazzie, daughters Jan Stevenson, LaVerna Yazzie, Lorraine Wheeldon, and Geneva Hickerson, brothers Eddie Miller, Gary Miller, Delford Miller, and Leonard Miller, sisters Annabell Miller, and Barbara Largo, including five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.