This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath158 Surnames: McCaskill, Parker, Armstrong Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/5205/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Ila Lee McCaskill of Las Cruces, NM, passed from this world Friday, February 18, 2011. She was 80 years old. Ila, the daughter of Dan Parker and Ella Rebecca Armstrong, was raised in Imperial, TX, where she graduated from Buena Vista High School in 1947. While attending Abilene Christian College, Ila met Edward McCaskill and they were married November 25, 1949. Ila and Edward enjoyed a rich and happy marriage for 53 years, and were blessed with four children, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Ila possessed a keen curiosity for life and always had a question ready for everyone. She loved nature, and was an avid gardener and turtle breeder. Her favorite flower was the blue bonnet because it reminded her of her childhood in Texas. Ila passed every day with a hymn on her lips and the Lord's scripture in her heart. Ila was preceded in death by her husband Edward, her brothers Harold and Carl Armstrong, and her grandson Matthew McCaskill. She is survived by her children Monty (Marion) McCaskill, of Davenport, FL; Cynthia Van Landingham, of Phoenix, AZ; Brenda (Bernie) McNamara; and Marcus (Pam) McCaskill, of Albuquerque, NM. Ila's family would like to gratefully recognize her dedicated and gentle caregivers, Patty Kaiser, Antonia Angel, Rachel Blumer, and Diedre Bond. Any memorial contributions should be made to Mesilla Valley Hospital. Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 22, 2011, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at LaPaz-Graham's Funeral Home, 555 West Amador, NM, 88005. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, February 23, 2011, at 10:00 am at Masonic Cemetery. Services have been entrusted to the care of La Paz - Graham's Funeral Home 555 West Amador, Las Cruces, NM 88005 Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on February 22, 2011 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.