Evalene Flannery

Evalene (Evalena) Johnston Leigon 7-26-1936 to 12-22-2021.  Evalena, a well-known artist, passed away peacefully in her Taos home after an extended illness. She was born in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, the fifth daughter of Paul W. and Irene Johnston. Evalena attended Tucumcari, NM public schools, graduating in 1954.  Her love of art took her to Chicago where she studied art history and painting under Alexander Zlatoff Mirsky noted painter and sculptor. After traveling to Europe and around the States for a while, she returned to her beloved New Mexico. Good friend, R.C. Gorman encouraged her to move to Taos and, in 1985 she did so with her precious daughters Lilli and Trina Leigon.  With her reputation as an oil painter in place, she continued to paint and raise her daughters. Evalena also made a name for herself in unique and coveted painted furniture. She won the "Taos Invites Taos" "Best of Show" prize in 1997 for her beautiful painted bench, "Mysteries of Life". She loved to create! Her ability to put paint to canvas was incredible and exciting. Her oil paintings, watercolors, decoupaged pieces and painted furniture grace the interiors of countless businesses and homes. Evalena is survived by her daughters, Lilli and Trina Leigon, grandsons Devin and Dillon Apadoca, sister Wylene Vinall, nieces, nephews and a lifetime of dear friends.  The family wishes to thank Dr. Deborah vanWilligen, Anvoi Hospice, friends, and neighbors who helped Lilli care for her mother. Evalena will be laid to rest in Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery. A Memorial Service is pending. Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com