4800 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
BUSHARD, STEPHEN MARSHALL
Stephen Marshall Bushard, 72, of Phoenix, Arizona was called home to his loving and gracious Father on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 after suffering a stroke. He passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
Stephen was born November 6, 1947 in Minneapolis, MN. He was the 5th of 7 children born to Wilfred and Phyllis Bushard. He attended The Basilica of St. Mary Elementary School and graduated from St. John’s Prep. After his family moved to AZ in 1965, he enrolled at ASU before being drafted into the U.S. Army. Upon his return to ASU his involvement with the Newman Center led him to meet Meg, the love of his life on a trust walk. They continued that walk for 47 years. After finishing at ASU, he was fortunate to travel the world before starting at DePaul Law in Chicago. He practiced law for over 40 years until he retired in 2017.
Steve found joy in pursuing knowledge. He loved to study and learn about many things, but nothing had more importance or brought him more joy than studying Scripture. He loved and truly lived his Catholic faith. He cherished grouping with his Cursillo brothers and sisters and was a faithful and humble servant to his community. He gave generously of his time to St Vincent de Paul, St. Joseph the Worker, Pastoral Care, and many other ministries.
Steve had an affinity for nature, he found so much peace in the beauty and wonders of God’s creation. No camping trip or campfire was ever quite as sweet without hearing his famous rendition of Smokey the Bear. Steve loved gardening; his vegetables were always sweeter, grass-greener, flowers-brighter trees-shadier, and his treasured little “siestas” in the hammock were always in season!
Stephen was preceded in death by his parents, and three siblings, Joseph, David, and Suzanne. He is survived by his loving wife Meg, and children Stephanie Schafer (Patrick), Joseph (Jessica) and John (Kelly), and grandchildren Mason, Caroline, and Stuart Bushard and Colin and Ava Grace Schafer as well as siblings Carol, Philip, Mary and many nieces, nephews and extended family.
A Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 18, 2020 from 4:00 -6:00 p.m. with prayers of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2312 E. Campbell Avenue, Phoenix. We will gather and celebrate Steve’s life with laughter, love, and fond memories at a safer date…
In Lieu of Flowers Donations may be made in Steve’s memory to: Phoenix Cursillo or St Vincent de Paul of Phoenix. Condolences and Hugs from Home may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
The Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic School Community is praying for all of you. We love you.
For about 30 years, I practiced law in an office right alongside Steve Bushard. He practiced law with true honesty and integrity. Any lawyer meeting those criteria is worthy of great remembrance. His family and friends, many that I know, should take heart in the wonderful person Steve was.
May you rest in Peace and Joy and fields of Flowers FULL OF COLOR and Brilliance…De Colorus Steve…thank you for bringing So Much healing and love into the world….one day at a time
The Father is well pleased in His creation …His Child….His treasure
Pray for us and Thank You for your service and your beautiful life.
May Jesus Christ Be Praised…Our Lady Queen of Peace welcome Your Child into his Eternal home.
Sincerily kathy Tesoriero
May God wrap his arms around you and the entire family and give you peace. We love you all and are so blessed to have known Steve and your family . Love always,
Sending love to the family during these sad days ahead without sweet Steve.
Steve was a great friend to us for over 50 years! Always had a kind word and spoke with such reverence like no other individual I know! I’ll miss you Steve. Someday we’ll catch up on olé times.
Oh gosh, my buddy, my dance partner is gone! I always felt so welcome in Steve and Meg’s home, while he was cooking up a big kettle of soup or any other delicious dish. The soft laugh, as he call Meg a list of names including Peg, Peggy, Margaret, Meggy and more. It feels strange to know I will not see him again, part of why I looked forward to going to AZ. We had our MN connection and I have been thinking about him every day for a while now. I will miss him and he was a great guy.
Much love to all of you. I know how difficult it is and you will be in my prayers. I’m so sorry that I won’t be in town for the service but my heart will be there with you.
Dearest Meg, friends and family of Steve: My heart is with you all. May God bless you and give you peace.
Dear Meg and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Steve was a special and loving friend. Meg, I cherish our days at ASU as roommates. I remember when you met Steve and how much you loved each other. Steve played his guitar in our folk group. He always had such a calming and loving spirit. I know he is rejoicing in Heaven with Our Lord and Blessed Mother. God is surrounding you and your family with His loving arms, Meg . Your faith will give you strength for the journey until you see Steve again and rejoice with him in Heaven. I’m here for you and the family. Love, Virgie
What a “good and faithful servant”. It was an honor to know him. My cousin, Meg, could not have had a better partner nor his children/grandchildren a better example of how to live one’s life. He was truly a blessing to us all.
As a lifelong friend of the Mason family my heart is heavy for all of you! Meg and Steve were a wonderful example of a marriage filled with Faith and Love. The legacy that Steve leaves in his AMAZING children and grandchildren is one that I will continue to strive for. My thoughts and prayers are with you during these difficult weeks. I know your loving extended family will support you through this time. May God Bless you all!!
Dear Meg,
Bill and I extend our condolences and prayers to you and your family. It was Steve’s peaceful and faith filled spirit that we remember and admired. He was a true servant of God and he will be rewarded in heaven. We know your faith is strong, Meg and God will be with you and your family in this difficult time.
Love,
Bill and Mary Jean
Meg I am so sorry. I know your heart is broken after all the wonderful years together. I remember when I sang at your wedding. The obituary is such a touching and beautiful tribute. I wish I had known Steve. You described an amazing, kind, loving man who met his true love and through your faith in God and your love you both brought up a wonderful family. I hold you close to my heart and wish I could be there this evening.
DE COLORES MY FRIEND…I WILL CELEBRATE MASS FOR YOU AND ALL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. YOU DIED ONLY TO RISE AS JESUS DID.
WE WILL CONTINUE OUR FRIENDSHIP IN HEAVEN. BRING THE BLESSED VIRGIN TO VISIT US..LOVE YOU…PADRE ALBERTO M. RUIZ, CMF.
My friendship with Steve was formed through Wednesday night grouping at Mt. Claret and working Cursillo teams. His wisdom, quiet humor, and profound study of scripture inspired me and so many others. Meg, thank you for sharing Steve with the Cursillo community, and may you be blessed with abundantly good memories and peace.
My mom had to be one of his last clients. Shortly after visiting his office near Thomas and 52nd St. the office closed. He did such an outstanding job straightening out my mom’s estate after my dad died. He went way above and beyond what any other lawyer would do such as actually going with my mom to the different government offices and things. You could tell he truly was a good Christian man. This is the reason why I feel compelled to leave this condolence. He was such a good guy. I actually took a picture of the painting he had behind his desk. It was awesome. I still have it. Thank you Mr. Bushard. Our family was absolutely blessed to have you as our lawyer.