Our Caring Staff
Meet our staff, members of the local community who make everything that happens possible.
Cope Memorial Chapel of Farmington
Nadine DeMay was born in southern CA but moved around the US throughout her life as the daughter of an army First Sergeant. Right out of high school, Nadine knew she wanted to pursue a career as an embalmer, so she went on to graduate from Cypress College in 2018 with her Associate’s in Mortuary Science.
She started out as a removal technician in 2017 and was later promoted to become an embalmer, then shift lead, funeral director, and now a manager.
Nadine began a career in Funeral Service due to her passion for helping those in their darkest days. She wanted to be able to restore someone from what would be a traumatic sight to a peaceful state in an environment where the family can grasp the reality of their loss. Overall, helping others is what gives her life purpose. Nadine is dedicated to ensuring the highest level of professionalism and support for grieving families.
When Nadine is not at work- the rest of her time is spent with her loving husband, two sons, as well as her other family in NM. The only thing more important to Nadine than her career, is her family.
Uriah was born and raised in the Navajo Reservation. He comes from a background of helping and caring for families in his communities, surrounding areas and in the Tri-City areas. Uriah enjoys spending time with his family, relatives and friends, along with his pet companion Rex. He also enjoys the outdoors and traveling.
He is currently enrolled in completing his Funeral Service Intern Dual license as an Embalmer and Directing.
Willow was born and raised in Farmington, NM. After working in healthcare for over a decade, she switched careers and entered the funeral industry in 2023. She enjoys dedicating her time to serving families in the Four Corners community. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, sculpting, animal rescue, and playing piano.
Carmelita Daye moved to Farmington, NM 24 years ago. She has been with the company since 2021 as an FSI director and is currently working on her FSI embalmer’s license. A mother to four amazing young adults and a grandmother to four awesome grandchildren.
Joseph Barela is the Cremation Technician for our company willing to go beyond his job title.
He got into this business to help out family after losing his parents in 2015.
In his free time, he is a head coach for Special Olympics and owns a boxing gym.
One of his main achievements in life was to become a professional boxer which he did for 10 years.
Joe has a big family of 9 children and he is very family oriented.
Graduated from Many High School
Attended San Juan College
Retired after 25 years of Government service.
Took 5 years off and raised her granddaughter. Cate decided she was not through learning and giving and decided to go back to work.
Cate is a woman of faith, and she has said she feels she was blessed to have secured this position.
Cope Memorial Chapel of Aztec
Betty was born and raised in Durango Colorado and moved to the tri-city area in 1979.
Betty has been with the company since 2015. She is the administrative assistant at Cope Memorial Chapel in Aztec NM. She is also a funeral assistant helping the directors with various tasks, as well as helping bring loved ones into our care with the care team. She enjoys helping families through their most difficult time.
Betty's family is very important to her, and she loves spending time with them. She is a mother of three and a grandmother of 8 and a great grandmother of 3. Betty also loves to travel and to go on camping trips. Crocheting, quilting, and crafting are her favorite pastimes, when she isn't traveling or camping.
Rena was born and raised in the 4 corners area and has lived here for most of her life. Graduated from New Mexico Highlands University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, minoring in art history. A diverse career history that has spanned from the oilfield, airline industry and now the funeral industry. She takes great pride in helping families in honoring their loved ones at their time of need.
Outside of work, family and friends are very important. Mother of two wonderful men and grandmother “YaYa” to a 18yo girl, and 6yo boy. Her time at home is spent crocheting, talking on the phone and facetiming with her grandchildren in TX., and drawing and painting in various mediums.
Melanie Kee is a full-time licensed funeral arranger at our Alternative Choice Funeral and Cremation location in Farmington, New Mexico. She has worked for our company since December of 2021. Farmington is her hometown where she was born and raised.
Some activities that Melanie enjoys outside of work are reading non-fiction novels, running, and bowhunting on the Navajo Nation.
An alumnus of two nearby colleges, Melanie’s passion for higher education continues to this present day. Melanie plans to and uses her experience working as a funeral arranger as a gateway to further help others in varying capacities, both professionally and personally.
Nadine DeMay was born in southern CA but moved around the US throughout her life as the daughter of an army First Sergeant. Right out of high school, Nadine knew she wanted to pursue a career as an embalmer, so she went on to graduate from Cypress College in 2018 with her Associate’s in Mortuary Science.
She started out as a removal technician in 2017 and was later promoted to become an embalmer, then shift lead, funeral director, and now a manager.
Nadine began a career in Funeral Service due to her passion for helping those in their darkest days. She wanted to be able to restore someone from what would be a traumatic sight to a peaceful state in an environment where the family can grasp the reality of their loss. Overall, helping others is what gives her life purpose. Nadine is dedicated to ensuring the highest level of professionalism and support for grieving families.
When Nadine is not at work- the rest of her time is spent with her loving husband, two sons, as well as her other family in NM. The only thing more important to Nadine than her career, is her family.
Cope Memorial Chapel of Kirtland
Larry is a proud Native from a small community of Gadii’ahi (Cudei) near Shiprock, New Mexico. Fluent in both Navajo and English, he carries a deep connection to this heritage. His clans are Hoganlani (Many Hogan) and Toaheeglini (Water That Flows Together), with his maternal grandfather from the Hashkaa Hadzohi (Yucca) clan and his paternal grandfather from the Naahilii Kinlichiinii (Red House) clan.
With nearly three decades in the funeral service industry, Larry holds a General Supervision Arranging/Directing (FSI) License and specializes in funeral arrangements, direct disposition, and cremation services. He approaches each service with care and respect, ensuring families receive the support they need.
As a licensed Insurance Agent/Advisor, he also helps families plan ahead with pre-arranged funeral services, offering them peace of mind. Larry’s passion for his work comes from personal experience. At just seven years old, he faced the loss of his loved ones, an experience that shaped his deep understanding of grief and the importance of compassionate care. Today, he is dedicated to guiding families through their most difficult moments with kindness, humility, professionalism, and unwavering support.
Outside of his profession, Larry is a devoted daddy, grandpa, and pastor who finds strength in faith and family. He enjoys embracing life’s journey — focusing on health, love, and the freedom of the open road on his Harley-Davidson.
When you walk into Cope Memorial Chapel in Kirtland, New Mexico, you’ll feel the warmth, professionalism, and dedication that Larry brings to every family he serves.
Monica has long been a resident of Farmington. She has been a part of Serenity and Company since 2016. She started out as a funeral assistant. Once she saw the value in assisting grieving families, she decided she wanted to work toward her arranging/directing license. Then in 2018 Monica became licensed as a Funeral Service Intern in Arranging/Directing.
Nadine DeMay was born in southern CA but moved around the US throughout her life as the daughter of an army First Sergeant. Right out of high school, Nadine knew she wanted to pursue a career as an embalmer, so she went on to graduate from Cypress College in 2018 with her Associate’s in Mortuary Science.
She started out as a removal technician in 2017 and was later promoted to become an embalmer, then shift lead, funeral director, and now a manager.
Nadine began a career in Funeral Service due to her passion for helping those in their darkest days. She wanted to be able to restore someone from what would be a traumatic sight to a peaceful state in an environment where the family can grasp the reality of their loss. Overall, helping others is what gives her life purpose. Nadine is dedicated to ensuring the highest level of professionalism and support for grieving families.
When Nadine is not at work- the rest of her time is spent with her loving husband, two sons, as well as her other family in NM. The only thing more important to Nadine than her career, is her family.