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Antone, Alfretta
82, of Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Cmmity passed away on 3-25-12. Alfretta (Juan) Antone was born 6-25-1990. She was raised on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) where lived by strong work ethics and the O'odham way of life. She attended St. John's Catholic School in Laveen, AZ. She married Myles Antone from Gila River in 1950 and started her family. They had 5 children together, Janet, David, William, Cecilia, & Theresa. Mrs. Antone became involved in politics and advocated to her local community of the importance of voting. SRPMIC was approached to form a precint and polling location and Alfretta was instrucmental in naming the Honda Precinct with Lula Smith from Ft. McDowell which meant "good place" in Smiths' language. In 1968 Robert F. Kennedy came to campaign to the Community and Antone was saddened that hardly anyone, maybe two or three showed up. Despite, Kennedy still made his speech. In 1979, Mrs. Antone was elected Vice-President of Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and served until 1990. She was Acting President from 2/1990-7/1990. During her term, Antone made significant contributions to her Community by starting the Huhugam Ki Museum, bringing Save the Children's Foundation to SRPMIC, re-instituting the Miss Salt River Pageant, initiating the Dialysis Center, keystone to the Senior Center of the Community, initiatied the Community Child Care Center, one of original negotiators of Scottsdale Pavillions, supported the Veteran's post and was a keystone in repatriation agreements to allow ancestral remains to come home to be reburied. In 2006, Alfretta was awarded "Elder of the Year" but one of the highlights of her life was in 1987 when Pope John Paul II visited Phoenix, Mrs. Alfretta Antone was chosen to represent the Native American people across the United States and personally met the Pope. Although Antone was very active in her community, her great love was for her church, St. Francis Parrish on the SRPMIC. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community will miss their great leader and distinguished Community Member who served her Community with all her heart and love. A treasure has left the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community but we wish her happiness on her eternal journey. She has gone home. Alfretta is survived by her children: Janet Andrews, David Antone, Cecilia Butler, William Antone, & Theresa Antone, 12 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren Thursday, 3-29-12, Memorial Hall 9849 E. Earll Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85256 Lie-In-State Program at 2:00pm Wake Services 6pm Rosary 7pm Friday, 3-30-12, St. Francis Parrish, Salt River, 8:00am Melcher's Mortuary Chapel of Roses Mesa, AZ 480-964-4537
Published in The Arizona Republic on Mar. 28, 2012
