Obituaries

It is with great sadness that the family of the Very Reverend Stephen A. Fraser announce that on Wednesday, April 5th, 2023, at Hospice of the Valley, Thunderbird House, Father Stephen passed away peacefully with his wife by his side.He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marlene (nee Held), sister-in-law, Mary Johns, nieces and nephews, Michelle (Will), Ryan...

Ruby L. Martinez, 91, passed away on March 29, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. She was born May 15, 1931 to Fabian and Lola De La Lama. Ruby was a homemaker and hostess at her brother’s restaurant (Lama’s). Her biggest joy was cooking and traveling with loved ones. She is preceded in death by husband Alex G. Martinez, son Alejandro Martinez,...

Gladys Sullivan Mahoney died peacefully on Thursday, April 6, 2023, after a brief illness. She was 74.  Gladys was born on July 30, 1948, in Phoenix, Arizona. She was the second of nine children born to prominent civil rights attorney – and U.S. Ambassador to Ghana in the Kennedy Administration – William Patrick Mahoney, Jr., and his illustrious wife, Alice...

Lisa Ann Domini of Scottsdale, AZ; loving and devoted mother, daughter, partner, sister and teacher passed away peacefully on Monday, March 20, 2023. She was 54, just shy of her 55th birthday on March 30th.Born and raised in Phoenix, AZ, Lisa attended SS. Simon and Jude Cathedral grade school for K-8th, Xavier College Preparatory for high school, then earning a...

Carolyn (Geare) Westfall, 97, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by all of her children on Saturday, April 1, 2023.Carolyn was born on August 22, 1925 in Phoenix, Arizona to Tom and Louise Geare. Carolyn attended St. Mary’s High School where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Harry Earl Westfall, Jr. Harry...

September 27. 1947 ~ April 2, 2023Ronnie, as he was known by many entered eternal life with his loving family by his side in Avondale, AZ where he resided. He was born in central Phoenix by Paul and Lydia (Chata).Ronnie attended Phoenix schools and graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1965. He loved to play, watch, and coach many...

Gregory Sylvester Sharko, born in Chicago, Illinois, March 12, 1937 passed away peacefully at his home in Paradise Valley surrounded by his family on March 30, 2023. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 47 years, Geraldine, parents George and Alice (Wolk) Sharko, his sister, Sr. Maurita Sharko, brothers Gerald and George. Survived by his brother Donald...

Donald Cross, 88, of Phoenix, AZ, passed away on March 29th, 2023. Don was born on November 6, 1934 to Bert and Dorothy Cross in New York. His family, that included 2 brothers moved to Phoenix, when Don was 7. Don graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1952, he went on to study Art and Education at Phoenix College...

Velia Y. Bracamonte, age 89, of Phoenix, AZ passed away peacefully at home on Friday, March 31st, 2023. She was born on February 13th, 1934, in Phoenix, AZ.Velia grew up and lived in Phoenix her entire life. She was married and had six children. She was a devoted catholic, mother and wife. She was involved in parish communities over her...

Kathleen Rae Ziska, 79, passed away on Monday, March 27, 2023. She was born in Ellwood City, PA to Samuel Mervin and Thelma Martha (Craven) Schantz on November 25, 1943. A celebration of life was held on April 02, 2023 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home in Phoenix, AZ.Kathy moved with her family from Ellwood City, PA to Phoenix, AZ...

John Christian “Chris” Miller of Phoenix, Arizona passed away peacefully Friday March 24, 2023, surrounded by his family. We know that Chris is laughing, dancing and shopping blissfully through the clouds of heaven.He was a kind, thoughtful man who will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by the many people whose lives he touched. He was the definition of a...

Annette Schneider passed away peacefully at the age of 93. She is survived by her four children, Julie Newell, Jenny Robles, Tom Schneider, and Ann Marie Moore and 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, sons in-law and grandsons in-law whom she loved unconditionally.Annette lived a full, successful life. She was born and married in Indiana. She and the family moved...

Jenny Ayala Mavis, 70 years old of Phoenix, AZ, peacefully passed away on March 14, 2023.  She was born on September 29, 1952 in Mesa, AZ to her parents Augustine Ayala and Trinidad Romero. A native to Arizona, she attended South Mountain High School and lived out her whole entire life  here. She worked as a Sr. Document Control Coordinator...

Vikianna Thomas died on March 24, 2023 after suffering a stroke a few days prior. At the time she was receiving gentle care for Alzheimer’s disease at Lincoln Heights Assisted Living Home.Viki, a third generation Phoenician, was born May 9, 1946 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix to Courtlandt “Pete” Van Voorhis and Mary Jane Van Voorhis.Viki attended Madison #1...

Jean Elizabeth Placido was born in Detroit, Michigan November 21, 1939 and moved to Arizona in 1962 with her parents Mary and Dominic and brother Rick. Her parents knew she was special from early in her life and never wavered in their love and care for her as she lived with them for over 67 years. When it was time...

Taylor Dene Nageotte passed away on March 23rd, 2023, at the age of 40. Taylor was born on April 25th, 1982, to loving parents Mark and Laura Nageotte in Lansing, Michigan. She graduated from Lansing Catholic Central High School in 2000, and moved to Phoenix to attend Arizona State University. She graduated with a degree in Family and Human Development...

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ambrosio “Ambrose” Sanchez Rojas Jr., 84 years old, of Phoenix, AZ. He died on March 27, 2023 in Phoenix, AZ.On March 16, 1939, Ambrose was born to Ambrosio Sr. and Refugia Rojas in Tolleson, AZ. As a young child, Ambrose helped provide for his parents and siblings by working...

Arvin Carl Schultz passed away March 21, 2023 in his beloved city of Phoenix, AZ. “Arv” was born November 21, 1934 at Elmhurst Hospital in Elmhurst, IL. He lived the first 28 years of his life in Addison, IL. As a young man he became a police officer with the Addison Police Department and soon after he met Nona, a...

Natalia Corella Lujan, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2023. She was born on February 24, 1926 in Phoenix, Arizona, daughter of parents Victor and Maria Corella. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 61 years, Conrado Lujan, her daughter, Margaret Varela, and her three sisters, Mary L. Amaya, Carmen Garcia, and Marta Orozco. She is survived...

March 2 – March 2, 2023“Your wings were ready, but my heart was not.” — UnknownJust three hours after coming into the world, Ezra William passed away peacefully with his parents by his side at Valley Wise Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. During that fleeting time, he touched many lives and was loved by all who met him.Born only four...