Mary L. “Jill” Sawyer Sotelo entered the Gates of Heaven on November 29, 2020. She was born on September 29, 1932 in Hoxie, Arkansas to John and Alma Starr.
As a child, Jill’s family moved to Miami, Arizona where Jill was a Rainbow girl and a paper girl. She was a proud graduate of Miami High School. Jill was a graduate of St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1957 earning the degree of Registered Nurse. She was a Pediatric Nurse until she moved to private practice at Affiliated Gynecology where she was head nurse for over 30 years. She was loved and respected by her employers and patients alike.
Jill married William C. Sawyer in 1959 and they raised their 2 children in Phoenix until his passing in 1992 after 33 years of marriage. At a Miami High School reunion, she reconnected with Joseph Sotelo and the two were married in 2001. For 10 years they enjoyed cheering on the AZ Diamondbacks, trips to San Diego, and watching their grandchildren grow up. Jill was a member of Valley View Bible Church for over 50 years. She taught Sunday School, was a camp nurse and loved all the babies while working in the nursery. Jill’s love for God was evident in the way she lived her life. She had a kind word and a smile for everyone.
Jill loved volunteering at Interfaith Cooperative Ministries, fishing, playing bingo with friends, knitting, and watching game shows. She will be remembered for her red lipstick and her smile.
She was preceded in death by her brother John “Jack” Starr; husbands William C. Sawyer and Joseph Sotelo. She is survived by her children Laurie Sommer, John Sawyer (Sherine); her grandchildren Lindsay Morales (Robert), Matthew Hull (Avery), Alexis Sawyer, Bradley Sommer, and great-grandson Jackson Morales; her beloved stepchildren Joseph and Karen Sotelo and grandchildren Nicole Sotelo, Jonna Douglas (Jason), Joseph Sotelo (Jill), and great grandchildren Zane and Grant Douglas, and Josephine and Grace Sotelo.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Hospice of the Valley.
Condolences may be expressed at www.WhitneyMurphyFuneralHome.com.
Michelle Young
I spent many a mornings at breakfast with Jill, Joe and Karen Sotelo. I was their next door neighbor for ten years. After they moved, I took Jill to a few medical appointments and lunch. I so enjoyed her and all her stories about her job and raising her children and meeting Joe Sotelo again. She was a very gentle and lovely woman. I have missed her, even before she passed away.
My condolences to all her family. I feel like I know them all, Laurie and her children. We always talked about them
at breakfast, when Lindsay got married and the new baby. I lived through them all and shared with her the excitement and love she had for them. I am sorry I could not attend the services because of the Covid Virus, but I do know where Jill is to be buried with Joe and my parents are also buried close to there. I will visit her grave although I know she is not there. She is in heaven.
Peggy and Charles
Dear Laurie, John and families,
With a heavy heart we offer our condolences to all of you in the loss of dear Jill. She and I started school together and continued to be friends until graduation and beyond. She will be dearly missed by so many.
Peggy (Rouse) and Charles Snow
norman brown m.d.
condolences to all the members of jill’s family; as the last surviving member of affiliated gyn i have many fond memories of jill working with us for so many years – she was favorite! jill was there when i joined the group (my father started that group when he came too phoenix in 1933, the first trained ob/gyn in the state) in 1963. she wanted to come with me when i left the group in 1982 to establish a solo practice but i told her she had so much retirement incentive built up with the group that she should stay with them. i know she lived a long ,full and productive life and i was sorry to see her go.. a great gal.