Farmington Shooting: Victims Remembered

Gwendolyn Schofield, Melody Ivie and Shirley Voita

The families of the three women killed in Monday's shooting in Farmington have shared information about their lives.  We are happy to share this information about these important members of the Farmington community who were taken in this senseless act:

The families of the three women killed in Monday's shooting in Farmington have shared information about their lives.  We are happy to share this information about these important members of the Farmington community who were taken in this senseless act:

Gwendolyn Dean Schofield, 98, was the mother of 4 children.  She and her late husband Ray Dean moved to Farmington in the mid-1990s to be near their daughter, Melody and her family.  After Ray’s passing, Gwen married Charles Schofield, a long-time resident of Farmington, and spent the next 14 years taking care of each other.  Gwen was a schoolteacher for her entire life.  She loved the outdoors, she loved being active, she loved teaching, she loved serving others both within her church and within the community, including the DUI Literacy program.  She has 26 grandchildren and innumerable great and great-great grandchildren.  You would often find Gwen baking and checking in on her friends around town.  She was an avid humanitarian in her own community as well as worldwide.  She was very generous and felt that continued education was a top priority, setting up a trust to help with her great grandchildren’s educational needs.  She will be loved and missed by more than just her posterity.  She has been a great example and will continue to shape our lives with her wisdom, guidance, teachings, and memories.

Melody Ivie. 73, was a long time resident of Farmington with her late husband Dennis Ivie. She is the mother of 8 children, 24 grandchildren and one great grandchild.  She loved her family, her faith,  and her friends.  She was passionate about serving others.  For 40 years she owned and operated Ivie League Preschool, serving several generations of families in the community.  She loved her preschool children and they loved her.  She has had multiple grand-students over the years. Even as adults these students remember the love and kindness Mrs. Ivie gave them.  She  loved unconditionally to all she met. Her love spanned oceans as she served a mission for her church in Ghana, Africa allowing her love and example to go global. Melody’s death leaves a hole in this community that will be hard to fill.

 

Shirley Voita, 79, was married to her husband Michael for 57 wonderful years.  They had 3 daughters and 2 sons, 14 grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Shirley was a school nurse by profession, which she loved, and was joyfully devoted to her family, friends, church and community. She volunteered for over 20 years at the senior center preparing taxes. She also volunteered at Birthright and Daily Bread. Shirley found great joy in helping and encouraging others. The family would like to thank all of the first responders and all those who heroically stepped in during this tragic crisis. The world is a better place for the 79 years she was with us. 

 

More from Local News

  • High Water: Riverfest Moves to "Plan B"

    Rocky Reach Landing, Berg East, Archway Court along with the area around the Red Barn and Nature center are closed for Riverfest. 

  • Farmington Shooting: Suspect Left Note

    Suspect Beau Wilson was found to have been wearing a bulletproof vest at the onset of the event, providing him with additional protection. However, prior to his encounter with Farmington Police officers, he deliberately removed the vest.  There was also a note found on Beau’s body. 

  • *Update* 3 Killed, 6 Injured in Farmington Shooting

    The neighborhood of Dustin Avenue between Ute and Apache was locked down for several hours as the incident unfolded around 11am.  Hospital officials say the facility also went into lockdown and established an Incident Command Center.  The hospital worked closely with law enforcement to ensure the safety of their patients and caregivers. The neighborhood lockdown was lifted shortly before 2pm.

  • Road/Signage Improvements at San Juan College

    The most immediate change visitors will see is the closure of the front (East) entrance off College Boulevard and the two front parking lots in front of the Learning Commons (A) and Henderson Fine Arts Center (B).  Those closures will begin Monday, May 15, 2023.

  • Police ID Body Found near Roadway

    At this time, the death does not appear suspicious. The Office of the Medical Investigator will be working with detectives to determine a cause of death.

  • Attorney for Farmington Police Officers Respond to Lawsuit Threat

    Attorney Luis Robles recounts that after the officers knocked on the Dotson's front door three times and announced their presence, they "waited calmly for someone to answer the door, but the longer they waited, the more concerned they became. Before taking further action, Officer Wasson contacted dispatch to verify the address of the calling party. Then, Officer Wasson heard the distinctive sound of someone inside the house rack a firearm. Fearing that this person was preparing to shoot at them, all three officers quickly backed away from the porch. 

On KSJE Now:

Today's Weather

  • Farmington, NM

    Sunny

    High: 82°F | Low: 45°F

  • Durango, CO

    Sunny

    High: 77°F | Low: 36°F

  • Shiprock, NM

    Sunny

    High: 86°F | Low: 48°F

  • Cortez, CO

    Sunny

    High: 82°F | Low: 45°F

  • Santa Fe, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 75°F | Low: 50°F