Genelle Salabar Macht Obituary

Former La Plata County resident Genelle Salabar Macht died Wednesday, May 2, 2012. She was 97.
Mrs. Macht was born to Albert and Bessie Clara Salabar on Oct. 2, 1914, in Bayfield. She grew up on her family’s ranch, riding her horse up the Pine River every day to her grandmother Springer’s house in town.
She attended Fort Lewis College after graduating from Bayfield High School. While at FLC, she met her future husband, H. Ray Macht. The couple married Oct. 1, 1933, in Bayfield.
The young couple moved to their ranch in Pagosa Springs, where they raised Hereford cattle and Morgan and quarter horses as well as two children.
Mrs. Macht was an organizer of the San Juan Land Alliance and volunteered with numerous community groups. Her family said she was a horsewoman and 4-H leader for more than 30 years.
Mrs. Macht enjoyed square dancing and won prizes for her roses and other flowers.
“Genelle was still active, riding her 4x4 to visit neighbors, driving to play bridge in her Jeep,” her family said. She continued to attend school sports and concerts and volunteered with the Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Mrs. Macht was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Ray Macht, in 2002.
She is survived by her children Jean Taylor and Carl Macht, both of Pagosa Springs; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund for students in the name of Skills USA of Pagosa Springs has been set up at Citizens Bank of Pagosa Springs, 703 San Juan St., Pagosa Springs, CO 81147.

Genelle Salabar Macht, ranch wife, organizer of the Southwest Land Alliance, horsewoman, prize-winning rose and flower grower, 4-H leader, square dancer and member of many teams of volunteer groups in the community, passed away May 2, 2012.
She was born in Bayfield, Colo., on Oct. 2, 1914, to Albert and Bessie Clara Salabar. She attended school in Bayfield, riding her horse from the ranch up the Pine River every day to her grandmother Springerâ€™s house in town. She attended Fort Lewis College after her high school graduation in Bayfield, where she met H. Ray Macht. They were married Oct. 1, 1933, and moved to their ranch in Pagosa Springs. They raised Hereford cattle, Morgan and quarter horses and two children there. In 2002, after 69 years of marriage, Ray passed away. He was 89 years old at that time.
Genelle was still active, riding her 4X4 to visit neighbors, driving to play bridge in her Jeep and enjoying the seasons. School sports and concerts were attended; she was a volunteer at the Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce.
She is survived by her children, Jean and John Taylor, Carl and Gloria Macht, grandchildren Becky and David Guilliams, Raymond and Julie Taylor, Karn and Megan Macht, great-grandchildren J.D. Guilliams, Lilly Taylor and Corbin Macht.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund for vocational awards for Skills USA students will be set up at Citizens Bank.
A friends and family gathering will be planned at a later date for all of us to recall her life.
Pagosa Sun
Thursday, May 10, 2012