Jeanne Hamrick

Jeanne Hamrick, a resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on

January 13, 2026 at the age of 65 leaving behind an incredible legacy of community

service, advocacy and volunteerism. She was preceded in death by her father, George

W. Hamrick, and survived by her mother, Phyllis Hamrick, of Elkview, West Virginia.

Jeanne was a 1978 graduate from Herbert Hoover High School. She went on to receive

her Anthropology degree from Marshall University in 1981. She earned her Archaeology

degree in 1983 from the University of Pittsburgh. Jeanne graduated with her law degree

from Washington and Lee School of Law in 1990. Jeanne moved to New Mexico to

practice bankruptcy and commercial law, and she was a phenomenal commercial

litigator.

Jeanne was a long-time advocate and mentor for people like her that were living with

multiple sclerosis (MS). Nearly thirty years ago, she founded the MS Government

Relations Committee for the New Mexico chapter of the National MS Society. In her role

as the Chair, Jeanne frequented the New Mexico State Legislature and the U.S. Capitol

Hill to advocate for policies that positively impacted people living with MS and other

disabilities. Under her leadership, this organization grew and continues to play an

impactful role to this day. Jeanne devoted her life to ensuring others received the care

they deserved, becoming a trusted and respected advocate, whose work earned

numerous accolades.

Jeanne was deeply committed to advancing the rights and dignity of people with

disabilities in New Mexico. She served on the Board of Directors for Disability Rights

New Mexico (DRNM), the state’s federally mandated protection and advocacy agency.

Her leadership helped safeguard children and adults with disabilities across the state

through impactful legal action. Jeanne served for several years as Board President at a

pivotal time in DRNM’s history. She helped guide the purchase of the Albuquerque

building that now houses the organization, the “James Jackson Center for Disability

Rights”, which she lovingly referred to as DRNM’s “forever” home. She also led the

Board through a nationwide search for a new CEO—the first leadership transition in

DRNM’s history—working closely with a selection committee to ensure a strong and

thoughtful choice for the organization’s future.

Jeanne also volunteered extensively for AARP New Mexico, starting as a neighborhood

leader working on building Livable Communities in Albuquerque. She was a liaison to

the Albuquerque Hispanic Heritage Committee. For many years, she worked with the

AARP advocacy team, working with legislators and testifying for health-related

legislation such as reducing the cost of prescription drugs, creating paid sick leave, and

supporting long-term paid family and medical leave. She was also an active member of

the AARP Volunteer Leadership Training group that led and brainstormed the statewide

AARP activities. Jeanne received several awards for her AARP work, including the 2019

advocacy “Boots on the Ground” award, the 2020 New Mexico State President’s Award,

and the prestigious 2021 Andrus Award, named for the founder of AARP.

Jeanne was a beloved member of the State Bar of New Mexico’s Committee on Women

and the Legal Profession and was a pioneer to make the legal profession more

inclusive. Through this Committee, Jeanne shared in the lives of her friends and their

children as part of a group that called themselves “the Owls.” Jeanne is survived by a

wide circle of cherished family, friends and mentees who will miss her dearly. She was

a loyal and loving friend whose fearless advocacy and contributions to others will

always remain.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the caring and compassionate professionals at

Trujillo Family Funeral Home

"Our Family Serving Yours"