Gertrude Zachary Passes On

Famous Albuquerque jewelry merchant Gertrude Zachary has passed on:

Zachary, 75, one of Albuquerque’s most colorful and dynamic business leaders, was known for her jewelry and her quirky antique store.

In 1976 she opened a jewelry manufacturing operation on Second Street, and later three large stores that sold her jewelry. The company employs 38. Zachary’s daughter, Erica Hatchell, will continue in her role as COO, which she has held for 21 years, Griffin said.

Here is an interesting article about her "Castle":

Ms. Zachary's home, across from a shuttered restaurant and abutting the parking lot of a raucous bar, is the only apparent residence in the desolate neighborhood. Lush blue-green velvet curtains and centuries-old door and window frames overlook parking lots, an overpass and a billboard advertising Ms. Zachary's antique and jewelry business. Ms. Zachary's daughter, Erica Hatchell, who lives in a more affluent area, said her mother couldn't be dissuaded from building here. "Nobody else would have made that decision," she said.

"I like downtown," said Ms. Zachary, 73, noting that cities such as Paris and New York have homes in industrial areas. Married and divorced three times, she lives in her estate with her Shih Tzu named Zipper.

I went to high school with a girl named Cindy Zachary. In my imagination, I always linked the two, but I have no idea if they were related, or not.