February 17, 1927 – August 29, 2022
Born at St. Joseph’s Hospital Phoenix AZ
Died at Astoria AZ Assisted Living Group Home in Phoenix AZ
Survived by her daughter, Joanne (Steve) Tillson, Daughter-in-law, Patty (David) Angulo, Grandson, Antonio Manuel Duran III (Jill Martin), Granddaughter, Anitra Jo Duran (Courtney Quick), Steve’s son, Tony (Tedra) Tillson, Great-Granddaughters, Samantha & Jyllienne Tillson, Sister-in-law, Angelita Angulo Favela, Nephews, Fernando & Ricardo Favela and Niece, Rose Favela-Marquez, Nieces, Betty (Jim) Sanford, Nancy (Stan) Chambers, Tommie Sue (Greg) Douglas, Margaret (Ryne) Sandberg
Margaret “Connie” was 95 when she passed away. She went to grade school at St. Mary’s Convent and High School at Phoenix Union.
Margaret married her husband, Manuel, on January 25th 1948 at St. Anthony’s Church Phoenix AZ.
Margaret and her husband, Manuel, lived in a few places in south Phoenix, Fourth Avenue & Monroe, by Sacred Heart Church and on Montezuma & Tonto. Her son, David, was born on June 10th 1949, and her daughter, Joanne, was born on July 15th 1950, both at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix AZ.
In the early 1950’s they moved to LA and La Puente, CA. Margaret worked as a secretary at St. Joseph Catholic Church and Queen of the Valley Hospital.
In 1965, they bought Del Monte Grocery on 27th Avenue & Dobbins Road. Where they lived and worked till 2000.
They retired to their home in Ahwatukee AZ, near their son (David).
Margaret lost her husband, Manuel, on January 18th, 2002. She continued to live in their home enjoying bingo with her sister, going to the casino with her son and working at the Election Department. Her home was always open. At separate times, her Granddaughter, Anitra, and her Grandson, Tony, lived with her. Their Nana spoiled them by cooking for them and doing their laundry.
Margaret went to live with her daughter, Joanne, and her son-in-law, Steve, in 2013.
Margaret and Joanne enjoyed doing many things together. Bingo or the casino twice a year on her birthday and Mother’s Day. Meetings with Las Damas del Valle once a month. Volunteering for HWC’s Silent Auction once a year. Volunteering at Christmas for Salvation Army Christmas Angels with Anitra.
They also loved their twice a year driving trips to Ontario, Mission Viejo, La Jolla, Rowland Heights, Hacienda Heights and Oxnard CA, and Las Vegas NV, to see family and friends.
Margaret was beautiful both inside and out. Loved by many family and friends. An excellent cook, baker and candy maker. She will be missed.
Preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Arnold Ruiz, her sister, Carmen (Tom) Facio, her Husband Manuel G. Angulo, her son, David C. (Patty) Angulo, her nephew, Armando (Rosemary) Favela.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 from 6:00-7:00pm with Rosary prayers at 7:00pm at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 10:00am at St. James Catholic Church, 19640 N 35th Avenue, Glendale. Inurnment to follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes for donations in Margaret’s name to Hospice of the Valley.
Marilyn Leyva
Connie was a truly beautiful woman inside and out who loved her family more than anything. Those of us who knew her, will miss her. RIP, Connie.
Nick & Kaki Androsiuk
Big hugs and lots of love for Connie and the family. She was a friend to all. She will be greatly missed.
Tony, Tedra, Samantha, and Jyllienne Tillson
We are so sorry to hear about Nana/Big Nana. She was loved by all who came to know her. A great Nana/Big Nana, amazing person, great cook, and baker. Nana you will be missed!
Andrea L. Angulo Gutierrez
So very sorry for the loss of your Mother and Grandmother.
Grace Mauricio
Connie was a beautiful person with so much personality and charisma! She knew how to live and enjoy her life. I remember the fun layover in Hawaii we had when she joined Joanne with getting into the Aloha spirit. It was so much fun.
My deepest condolences to all the family. God bless her soul. She will be missed.
Cousin Marlene
Connie, my family called her “ The Contessa” ! She was always dressed to match! She could whipping up something delicious to eat at a moment’s notice! She taught So many in our family how to cook her favorite dishes, most importantly her tamales! The Contessa was the most loving daughter, mother, wife, grandmother, sister, cousin and friend to everyone in her life. The Contessa was the sister my mom never had. Mom and I went on many adventures with the Contessa. We went to Vegas, Laughlin, Palm Springs, and the beach. One trip is very prominent in my memory, we left from her home in Ahwatukee to California by way of Laughlin Nevada. My dad had let me Drive his two week old Buick Regal. The Contessa was an avid journalist. She journaled all our adventures! On our way to Laughlin we stopped at the Pines restaurant in Williams Arizona and as we got out of the car I was going to be getting something from the trunk and to my dismay my mom walked around and slammed the driver side door shut! The car wasn’t turned off and my purse and the keys were left inside! The only thing left to do was find a locksmith, there were none in Williams. So I had to call AAA, the only problem with that was the closest service center was in Needles, One and a half hours away! As I paced in front of the car in 110° heat mom and the Contessa went inside to eat! I was so worried about this brand new car my dad let me to use, was going to blow up any minute while waiting for AAA to arrive! Long story short AAA arrived about an hour and 15 minutes later and was able to open the door and we could turn off the car. Evidently the car seem to have no adverse problems. This is one of the many adventures I had with my mom and the Contessa! And of course the Contessa had journaled this while in the restaurant. So we went off to Laughlin had a nice time spent the night and went to California the next morning. I had made Mom & The Contessa promise not to ever mention this Incident. The next weekend my dad invited my family over for a barbecue. But as you would have it the Contessa had left her journal on the coffee table near my dad‘s chair and when they were busy my dad decided to pick it up and read it, he knew the whole story! And when he asked me how I enjoyed driving the car, I told him it was great, he said did you have any problems. And I told him no everything was fine. He said even when it was overheating at 110° in Williams Arizona? That’s one of the more eventful stories I had with my mom in the Contessa. The other thing about the Contessa is her daughter Joanne , she was my favorite cousin growing up but we only had a few years together before they moved from La Puente back to Arizona. She remains my Favorite Arizona cousin! The Contessa was such a loving and giving person that the last few months of my dad‘s life in 2003 she came to stay with my parents till my father passed away! I would so love to be there to Honor you My Contessa , but I can’t! So Dear Contessa may the Perpetual Light Shine Upon You, May You Rest In Peace with Manuel in heaven!
Ricki Adams
Joanne,
May your mother Rest In Peace and be united with family in heaven.
Love,
Ricki
. Sonja Mazon Rubalcava
Joanne and Family,
Mom Bertha Mazon and I cherish the many memories, lunches, dinners and gatherings with you, Connie, Margie, Terry and all the lovely ladies. Our moms are The greatest generation of women and we are so blessed to have spent so much time with Connie and all of you. Nothing but fond memories we keep in our hearts.
God bless you and your family and may the love and support by so many people lift your spirits.
God bless, Sonja
Colleen Redmond
Joanne & Family,
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Your Mom was an wonderful lady and I treasure all the years I was able to know her and work with her. May the memories of her stay in your hearts forever. Sending you all Prayers, Hugs and Love.
Todd Townsend
Thoughts & prayers…
Rosie Favela Marquez
I called her Nina Connie though she wasn’t my Nina but my aunt, married to my mom’s brother Manuel. She treated me as her daughter. I spent summers as a kid in AZ visiting family and my favorite spot was “The Store”. My Nino spoiled me and my aunt let me tagged along to all her adventures. She was a creative person… taught me to macramé, decoupage,and hook rug. She was a wonderful baker and cook. Her and my dad loved to tease each other. Such fond memories. We were blessed with having her 95+ years here on earth.
Nina, i will always love you and cherish all you taught me and time spent with me. ❤️
Joanne,, Anitra and Tony – My heart aches for your loss yet I know she will live on in your heart
Rosie
Melissa Manoz
Connie was such an amazing person and I feel both blessed and privileged to have known her and called her my friend. She was like a mom, grandma, wise counsel, and energizer bunny rolled into one!
Connie and I came to know each other in the year 2000. She was a long-time temporary staff member for Maricopa County Elections when I was hired as the full-time lead in the area where she usually worked—Early Ballot Processing. I really knew nothing about the job except there was a lot to do and much to learn! Connie’s guidance was a key in my success and many wonderful memories were built during our time together.
For example, despite her claim of being shy, Connie was the spark in the room; the one everyone came to know and appreciate — especially when she brought home-baked goodies. Her baked goods were the best ice breakers but moreover, gathering everyone over for a slice of cake became a catalyst for building a sense of belonging. Imagine that! Her love of cooking and sharing made others feel like family. Making people feel welcome was truly one of Connie’s gifts and it will remain one part of her remarkable legacy.
Another part of Connie’s legacy lies in her writing. At work, she liked to commemorate the end of an election with a poem. Those poems, much like her baked goods, were much-awaited gifts from Connie. They gave us time to laugh and reflect on our shared experience.
Years ago, before she finally retired from her temp work with the county, Connie wrote a poem imagining the day she’d be called to heaven. Needless to say, it took me by surprise and made me sad but it was her retirement celebration of sorts; one that illustrates the satisfaction she gained through helping others. This is the last stanza of Connie’s poem:
My time has finally come
I’ve helped everyone I could; I did my very best
And God says it’s finally time
He put my working hands to rest