Paula Fortran

Paula J Fortran, age 68, of Santa Fe, New Mexico passed away peacefully in her sleep the morning of Thursday, November 25,2021, after a two year battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Born September 24, 1953 in San Antonio, Texas to Esther J and Irvin V Iversen, she is survived by her husband Randolph Fortran, her daughters Rachel Meade Driesbaugh of Binghamton NY, Courtney Fortran of Los Alamos, NM, and Samantha Giandrone (Justin) of McAlester, OK. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, two brothers David Iversen of Norwich, NY and Dana Iversen of Fort Myers, FI, her sister Diahne Hallestead of Sarasota, FI as well as her mother, numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many cousins. She was predeceased by her father, her brother Daniel Iversen, and her son Dominick Chrzen.
Paula graduated high school in Hancock, NY and Broome Community College in Binghamton, NY with a Degree in Accounting. She was a lifelong horseback riding enthusiast, eventually becoming New York State Show Jumping Champion and earning a try out for the 1972 Olympic Games. She owned and operated Gentle Ridge stable/farms in NY for many years and passed on her love of horses to many, young and old. She had owned and operated many small businesses in and around Binghamton, NY in the 1970s and 1980s.
Paula married Randy in February 1993 and soon relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico, purchasing Mountain Moving and Storage of Santa Fe, Inc, which they have owned and operated since that time. Paula continued breeding Thoroughbred horses for the next 10 years, before adopting her granddaughter Samantha and her half -sister Courtney upon the death of her son. Paula was active in the community as a founding member of the Turquoise Trail Volunteer Fire Department Women's Auxiliary, the Turquoise Trail Charter School PTA, as well as the Rose and Iris Societies' of New Mexico. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Santa Fe, singing in the choir, and serving in many capacities.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, December 2 at 2 pm, at the First Baptist Church Santa Fe, 1605 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico. A second memorial service will be held at the Main Street Baptist Church Binghamton, NY at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be sent to The Santa Fe Horse Shelter (thehorseshelter.org) or to Project Zawadi (www.projectzawadi.wix.com/expandinghorizons) in care of, Randy's sister, Rhonda Barona 132 Van Gogh Way, Royal Palm Beach, FI 33411. All funds donated to Project Zawadi will continue to support and expand the Charlotte Elizabeth Fortran Memorial School which has been built by her offspring.
The Family of Paula Jean Fortran has entrusted the care of their beloved to Avista Cremation & Burial "where healing begins".

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