MCCARTHY, MARION PATRICIA
May 16, 2013
61, passed away April 30, 2013. She was born in Phoenix, Arizona to John and Patricia McCarthy. Marion studied English at Arizona State University. She worked in the Temporary Employment field where she managed several offices. Marion is survived by her daughter, Allison, sisters Michelle, Colleen, Susan, Mary, Elizabeth, brother John, grandchildren Liam and Teagan and many nieces and nephews. Marion lived life to the fullest, loved to take risks, and had an insatiable appetite for adventure. Her interests were varied from photography to white water rafting but it was her family that meant the most to her. Marion inspired many and had an impact on all who knew her. There will be a memorial service for Marion in Mission Beach, CA in the fall.
ESTRADA, MARY L
May 13, 2013
86, beloved mother, nana, sister and friend of Phoenix, AZ passed away on May 08, 2013. Mary (aka Maria Louisa Gaucin, “Licha”) was born in Claypool, AZ and raised in Camp 53, Litchfield Park, AZ. She was a homemaker and worked for Salon de Venus for many years. Mary is survived by her children; Gloria Aguilar, Elvira Howard, Manuel and Tony Estrada; daughter-in-law Christina Estrada; son-in-law Vidal Aguilar; 16 grandkids, 27 great grandkids, 10 great great-grandkids; sisters Belen, Ofelia, Ester, Celia; and brothers Alfonso, and Raul. Services will be held at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1421 S. 12th Street in Phoenix. Visitation will be held from 6-9pm, with a Rosary at 7pm, Thursday, May 16. Funeral Mass will be on Friday, May 17 at 10am. Interment will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Phoenix.
WANSLEE, MARY ANN BERNADETTE
May 13, 2013
Born on May 2, 1931, Mary Ann Bernadette Wanslee began her life in San Francisco, California. She was an extraordinary woman who instantly enveloped others in her warmth, her goodness, her passion for God, her family and life. The eldest of nine siblings, Mary Ann was raised in Seattle and Los Angeles by her parents Montgomery and Ann Nelford. Mary Ann’s earliest years were spent with her beloved paternal grandmother Mamie, who exposed Mary Ann to Norwegian culture, including sailing, fishing, enjoying raw oysters, and taking traditional sauna and ice plunges; all of which helped to form her adventurous personality. After graduating from Bishop Conaty Memorial High School, Mary Ann attended the University of Nevada at Reno. During the 50’s through the 70’s Mary Ann worked as a black jack and craps dealer in Lake Tahoe, Reno and Las Vegas. The love of Mary Ann’s life was Patrick Wanslee, and they were married on the very day they met. While Mary Ann and Pat may have had one of the shortest courtships in history, each day was a celebration of their love and commitment. They experienced a brief separation when Pat passed away in 2011 but are now reunited and certainly playing their favorite card game of gin rummy. Mary Ann always had a twinkle in her eye and a zest for living. Down to earth but elegant, she gathered strength from her deep faith and helping others. Mary Ann spent countless hours in service right up to her passing. Her many civic and service activities include labor organizing for dealers in Las Vegas, serving as a Catholic Daughter, teaching religious education, comforting the ill as a hospital Eucharistic minister at St. Joseph’s and Phoenix Indian Medical Center, and serving as a volunteer chaplain at the Maricopa County Jails and State and Federal Prisons. She was passionate about all right to life issues and helped to found a women’s center providing pregnancy counseling and adoption services. Throughout her entire life, Mary Ann wholeheartedly and enthusiastically shared her God given talents to assist others. Mary Ann’s passions included a natural love for travel and an insatiable curiosity about anything involving history, science and etymology. She was extremely creative and fearless of undertaking any project once she made up her mind. Mary Ann also enjoyed the Arts. She loved live opera, ballets, plays and musicals and dragged her children and grandchildren to countless performances. Mary Ann’s greatest gift to her children and grandchildren was her unconditional love. She was fun and generous with her time, money and love. She was the best mother that anyone could have wished for and we are eternally grateful for the privilege of calling her Mom. She was preceded in death by Pat Wanslee and her beloved daughter, Maris Marie Stern. Mary Ann is survived her son, David (Michele); and her twin daughters, Madeleine (Brian Mullen) and Melissa (Bob McCullough). She is also survived by four grandchildren whom she adored, Rachel, Rebecca, Carmel and Benjamin. A Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 16, 2013 with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 17, 2013 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Interment will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 20, 2013 at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th St., Phoenix.
WAYLAND, CONSTANCE MARIE
May 10, 2013
Constance Marie Wayland, 74, of Scottsdale, passed away May 5, 2013. Constance was born October 2, 1938 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix. Her parents were Arthur and Vaheda Hurley Szink. Her brother, Stuart Arthur Szink, predeceased her in 2012. She attended local schools, North High, the University of Arizona and graduated from Arizona State University in 1960. She married John Robert Wayland on December 27, 1960, and they remained married for 52 years. Connie and John raised two children, Alison Paige and Lance Fielding. John and their children survive her. John and Connie raised their family in Paradise Valley and eventually relocated to the Briarwood IV community in Scottsdale, where she served the Homeowners’ Board for several years. Throughout her life, she was an elementary school educator, home maker and store manager. Connie volunteered much of her time to local causes, particularly the Arizona Kidney Foundation and Hospice of the Valley. Her love, caring and strength greatly impacted her family and many lives outside her family. A Memorial Service will be held at Central Methodist Church, 1875 North Central Avenue, Downtown Phoenix, on Monday, May 13 at 10:00 AM. A reception will follow at Scottsdale North Assisted Living, 9883 E. Cortez Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 at 1:00 PM.
FERNANDEZ, IRENE A
May 8, 2013
81, of Phoenix, passed away on May 2, 2013 in Las Vegas, where she loved to be with her best friend Betty George. She went out in style. She is survived by her daughter Debbie Atchley, two grandsons, John (Maria) and Danny (Angela) Atchley, six great-grandchildren, Sabrina, Larissa, Danny, Johnpaul, Pristine and Jestine and one great great-grandchild Elias. Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 11th, from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. with a Funeral Service at 11:00 A.M. at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Interment will follow at St. Francis Cemetery.
DIPIETRO, JAMES (JIM)
May 7, 2013
DiPietro, James, (Jim) 89, of Phoenix, AZ and successful owner of DiPietro Plumbing with his brother Peter for over 50 years in Deerfield, IL passed away May 5, 2013. Jim was born on October 26, 1923 in Provincia Di Teramo, Italy. He arrived in America with his family when he was 6 years old. Served in World War II as an Army Air Force pilot and flew missions over Italy, Tunisia, and all of Southern Europe. He was a very successful business man, but he was also a very generous and kind man, doing what he could to help others.
He is survived by his two daughters, Theresa Mena and Constance (Barry) Herchenroder, grandchildren Louis, Andrew (Kristin), Alex (Eleanor) Mena , Eugenia (Victor) Kapusta, Anthony, Raymond, Matthew Herchenroder and Theresa (Paul) Bissonnette and great-grandchildren German Berna, Christine (Kris) Glass, Ivan Kapusta, Anthony, Jimmy, Kiara, Marlene Mena and Breanne Bissonnette. He is also survived by his brother Peter (Pam) DiPietro and two sisters-in-law Alberta and Margaret DiPietro and all their children, and Olivia Cicconi, his loving friend and Caregiver, and his beloved dog Nikki.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2312 E. Campbell Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602-954-0989) on Friday, May 10 at 1:30 PM. Refreshments will be served at St. Thomas Church Hall immediately following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, please make a donation in his honor to Foothills Food Bank, PO Box 715, Carefree, AZ 85377.
LEON, SEVERINO S. (WERO)
May 6, 2013
Passed away on May 5th, 2013 at 90 years of age. He was born February 11th, 1923 in Williams, Arizona. Moving to Peoria and later settling in Phoenix. He graduated from Phoenix Union High School and proudly served his country with the U.S. Army in Europe while his four brothers were serving in the Pacific during WWII. An accomplished woodworker and jack of all trades he along with his brothers built his family home where he and his wife raised eight children. He crafted dressers and cabinets for his children and grandchildren that will remain family heirlooms for years to come. An avid hunter and outdoorsman he taught his children to love and respect nature in all its glory. After a 36 year career with Reynolds Metal Co. he retired in 1984. He leaves behind Rosa his loving wife of 63 years, brothers Victor and Salvador, sisters Ruth Gonzales (Norwalk, CA), Esperanza Hinojos, Josepina Soto, Mary Compton (Liberty, MO), eight children, sons Carlos, David, and Ramon, daughters, Gloria Flores, Esther Rojas, Martha Cuevas (Yorktown, VA), Sylvia Ramirez, Juanita Mead, fourteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by brothers George and Edward. This loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Visitation will be held at 10:30am with a Funeral Mass at 11:00am, Thursday, May 9, 2013 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1954 N. 24th Street, Phoenix. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.
WEAVER, LARRY A
May 6, 2013
Age 59, resident of Albuquerque, passed away on Friday, April 26, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Patricia; son, Jasin Weaver and wife, Ashley; mother, Joan Whiting; brothers, Gene Weaver and James Weaver; and extended family members and many friends. He will be remembered as a man who was devoted to his wife, family, church, and the Knights of Columbus. A Memorial Gathering will be held from 6:00-8:00pm on Wednesday, May 8th at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ. Larry will be laid to rest at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ.
MARSHALL, RONALD ALLEN
May 3, 2013
Ronald Allen Marshall went home to be with our Lord on April 30, 2013 at the age of 56. Ron was an Arizona native and loved living in the desert. He was an intelligent, articulate man with a wide variety of interests which included music, art, hiking, camping, and target shooting. Ron will be sadly missed by his long-time partner and recent wife, Kris, their family and many friends. Visitation will be held from 9:30 -10:30 am with a Memorial Service at 10:30 am, Monday, May 6th 2013 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ. Interment will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 North 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ. Donations to the Arizona Humane Society are suggested in lieu of flowers.
CERTA, IRENE LABOSH
May 3, 2013
85, of Phoenix was called to God on April 30, 2013. SHe was a beloved wife, mother, Mom-Mom and friend. She was steadfast in her faith and devoted to her husband of almost 59 years, Anthony. She is survived by him and her children David, Kenneth (Marie), and Cynthia; her brother Michael Labosh (Jean) and the joy of her life, her grandchildren Zachary, Elizabeth, Anthony and Olivia. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, she moved to Phoenix in 1972 when her husband took a position with Motorola. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, bowling competitively, watching FoxNews, playing pinochle, and creating feasts in the kitchen. We will greatly miss her love, wise counsel, and sense of humor. Yet, we know that we would not be experiencing such a deep loss if there had not first been great love. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ at 10:00am Friday, May 3rd, 2013. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the AMerican Heart Association or just do something nice for someone you love.