84, of Phoenix, AZ, passed away on May 15, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. Connie was born in Detroit, Michigan. She moved to Phoenix when she was 9 years old. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1950 and later graduated from Phoenix College. She married Ronald Zardus in 1950. She was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She was a devout Catholic and a member of the Carmelites at St. Agnes Catholic Church for 25 years. She headed a group of women who made thousands of rosaries and sold them to support poor families in Mexico. She loved spending summers with her husband up in the northern part of Oak Creek Canyon at their home with her 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She was an avid reader and hiker, hiking the trails in Oak Creek and the northern Mountains in Phoenix which included Camelback and Piestewa Peak. She was preceded in death by her loving daughter, Karen Diane Williams. She is survived by her husband Ron Zardus, children, Ronnette Zardus Taylor, Christopher Zardus, Lee Ann Zardus and Jennifer Hood (Don), sister Rosemary Cooney, 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 9:30 – 10:30 AM with a Rosary at 10:00 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM, Monday, May 23, 2016 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1954 N. 24th Street, Phoenix. Interment will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. All are invited to a reception after the burial at St. Agnes Catholic Church. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.
Beckie Crump (Johnsen)
Hold tight to your memories for comfort, lean on your friends for strength, and always remember how much you are loved.
Sharon Engelbeck
Connie adored her family and fought hard to stay with them all. She will be missed. You’re in my prayers.
Mary Dower
Dear Zardus family My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sending my deepest sympathy. God bless you all.
Vicki Godwin
Chances are she will never know how much she meant to me. She literally meant more to me than all of the stars that fill the skies. For better or worse, she was always, always about family and friends and while she was being “Hostess
with the mostess”, she opened her heart to let fools rush in. I loved her so very much, but for now I just breath deeply and miss you terribly…
Your God-daughter,
Vicki Godwin
Rita Bowker & Family
My most heartfelt condolences to all of our family for our loss of dear Aunt Connie. She was such a wonderful woman, mother, aunt, and servant of God. My prayers continue to be for all of her children, great grandchildren, and family as we reflect on her precious time with us.