Ivora Fossum

Ivora Lou Fossum, age 86, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on October 25, 2024.

Ivora was born on June 18, 1938, in Mescalero, New Mexico to Ashley Guydelkon, Chiricahua Apache of Ft. Still Oklahoma, and Evelyn Martine Gaines, Chiricahua Apache of Mescalero, New Mexico.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, John G. Fossum, who passed away on August 5, 2015. Ivora was a member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe and was one of the last few full blood Chiricahua Apache’s.

Ivora was truly proud of her culture, heritage, and where she came from. She was a descendant of Chief Mangas Coloradas Woman Warrior Lozen, and Chief Victorio, of the Warm Springs Band of Chiricahua. 

As an infant, she was baptized in the Mescalero Reformed Church.

Ivora and her family made their homestead in the Whitetail region. She attended middle school at Tucson Indian Mission Esquela in Tucson, Arizona. Thereafter she attended 9-12 grade at Albuquerque Indian School, where she was a member of the AIS Marching Band. She graduated from Albuquerque Indian School in 1957. After graduation, she remained in Albuquerque and worked as a lab tech for the old Lovelace Hospital. 

It was during this time that she along with her three besties, Nina Antonio Tortilla, Beverly Enjady Kirgan, and Iva Enjady, all rented and shared an apartment while they attended Browning Business College, where she graduated. After graduating from BBC, she attended the University of New Mexico and later returned to Mescalero where she began working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Social Services.

It was during this time that she was introduced to her future husband, Air Force Staff Sergeant John G. Fossum, by their mutual friend Gervase Peso. They were married on May 23, 1965, in Alamogordo, NM. John and Ivora shared 50 years together. 

While working for the BIA-Mescalero Agency, Ivora also attended classes at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces to advance her career as a Realty Specialist. Ivora retired from the BIA in 1990 after 29 years of service. 

Ivora is survived by her children Miriam “Mimi” Fossum and her children Jay Hoahwah, Ryan Chavez, Symone Fossum and fiancé Manuel Martinez; Natalie “Nettie” Fossum and her children Sherri Lynn Comanche, Mariah Comanche and fiancé Shawn Cochran, Teralyn Baca, Laramy Baca and his love Nicolette Prins, and Madyson Garcia; Ewell John Fossum and his wife Rebecca with their children Cyan, Ramona, Maekquin, and Allowa; stepdaughter Jean Cox and husband Douglas of Keshena, Wisconsin.

Ivora is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren all of whom she loved dearly. As well as two sisters, Claudine Saenz and Eileen Booher of Mescalero.