Henrietta Girón

Nacido a los siete meses, prematuro, premature, at home in the Eastlake Barrio near downtown Phoenix, AZ when she was given 1 week to live. Born from a young mother Josefina who was suffering from what later would be diagnosed as Leukemia. Raised by her grandparents, Angelita and Lico Saldamando they fed her goat milk in gauze from the animal in the back yard, swaddled her and placed her into a shoebox, and would then slip her into the open door of an old wood burning Buckhorn oven, thus creating a very clever DIY incubator. Henrietta lived to become 102 years old and died peacefully in her own bed surrounded in comfort by loved ones in Central Phoenix. Henrietta lived in this home for over 60 years.

In her youth she had lived back and forth between Guaymas in the state of Sonora, Mexico and Phoenix, Arizona. At the age of 18 she decided to come back for good to Phoenix. An only child, Henrietta lived with her grandmother’s comadre, Señora Alta Diaz and her 9 children, some of who were her contemporaries. During WWII Henrietta became a “Rosie the Riveter” – working among many young women at the Goodyear Plant in Litchfield helping to build airplane parts. There, she met Carlos Longino Girón and they later married at Immaculate Heart on December 1, 1943. She began her volunteer work at Goodyear, in a program called, Good Neighbor Policy, which was a Spanish for English exchange. In later years she read for the Society for the Blind.

For decades she volunteered for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul with her longtime friend Luis Yanez and was An Ambassador for Senior Opportunities West and welcomed and explained the rules for participants with her longtime friend Helen Yanez.

Henrietta loved to travel. Five times she went to Montreal, Canada during the 1980s where her daughter Angela and granddaughter Felicia then lived. Her 1st trip abroad was to Spain & Portugal with her Uncle Leandro and Aunt Grace as their “young” niece in the early 1990s. Then in 2004 she traveled with her daughter Angela and grandson David (whom she had raised) to the countryside in England, took the Chunnel to Paris where they had tickets to the infamous Moulin Rouge and Palace of Versailles. On that same trip, she travelled to Stratford-On-Avon and saw two Shakespeare plays at RSC and she also visited The Tower of London and Oxford. Other travels included L.A., (she particularly enjoyed Disneyland), Washington State, Guaymas, Mexico, and many trips to the old homestead in Reserve, NM, first with her husband and later with her children and grandchildren. Her sons, Carlos and Andres and their wives, Carmen and Jennie respectively, along with her grandchildren Andre and Regina and their spouses have made homes for themselves in Reserve. With her daughter-in-law Carmen, for Henrietta’s 88th birthday they embarked on a 12-day trip to New England where they visited the famous mansions in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine and New Hampshire. Highlights of that trip was visiting St. Mary’s in Rhode Island where JFK & Jackie Kennedy had been married and the Norman Rockwell Museum in Massachusetts.

Henrietta (aka Queta) opened her heart and home to everyone, including animals. As far back as the 1950s she had given her own children birthday parties with a homemade piñata

in the old neighborhood on Buchanan St. which is now known as the Golden Gate Barrio. Later, she would do likewise for her grandchildren on Oak St. Many folks recall her Christmas Eve Tamale parties that she held annually with as many as 50+ family and friends in attendance.

She was quick to attend the plays, readings and art shows of her daughter Angela and Andres, respectively. As well as pachangas, weddings, bridal and baby showers, baptisms, first holy communions, graduations, quinceañeras, rosaries and funerals she attended throughout her life for her friends and extensive family. All this while always working outside the home. During the 1960s she worked as a salesclerk for Franklin’s in downtown Phoenix on Washington Street. Later, she worked at Azteca Bridal shop as a Bridal Consultant for over 23 years. In 2000, the Arizona Republic published her story in an article called, “La Historia De Mi Familia" - In their words, "Hispanic families that helped settle Arizona tell their stories.” In the article she stated how she helped over 13,520 valley brides select their respective dream wedding dresses; and for Valley Brides this was her community impact. In July of 2021, local archivist, Irma Payan, came to interview Henrietta for Arizona Barrio Stories at her home on Oak Street. Co-producer Gil Bivens set-up the cables, lights and shot the segment. In it we learn of an earlier Phoenix and ends with Henrietta’s memory in the early 1930s of a tent revival by Eastlake Park Barrio and singing “This Little Light of Mine, I’m gonna let it shine…” https://www.facebook.com/gil.bivens/videos/1007690846671227?idorvanity=735785833645251

On Henrietta Girón’s 100th birthday, the State of Arizona issued a Legislative Proclamation in her honor, initiated by then Representative of District 11, Marcelino Quiñonez.

She was preceded in death by husband, Carlos L. Girón (1987), two children Margaret (2009) Alejo (2022). Survived by her children: Carlos Eloy Girón, Chicano Artist Jose Andres Girón, ASU Professor Emeritus Angela Girón, beloved daughters-in-law: Jennie, Carmen & Debra Girón & Sherri Girón-Stevens, grandchildren: Vicki Ellexson, Lorraine Wagner, Syndi Angel-Garcia, Daniel Teach, Felicia Matz and David, Regina, Andre, Carlitos III, Wesley, Joseph, & Steven Girón plus a plethora of great-grandchildren. Familial surviving relations include two cousins: Luisa Vasquez, Ben Chayra and two nieces: Deanna Muller & Oleana Buxton and their children. Plus, many, many friendships, comadres y compadres…

Henrietta’s Secret(s) to Longevity are the following: Be positive. Don't hold grudges. No judging others and treat people as you would like to be treated. She will be truly missed by all who deeply loved and knew her.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary recitation at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85018. On Monday, February 23, 2026, a Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1954 N. 24th St. Phoenix, AZ 85008. Burial procession to St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008. A Celebration of Life will take place following services at The American Legion Post 41 at 715 S. 2nd Avenue - Phoenix, AZ 85003.