Joanne Walz Priser

Joanne Walz Priser on Sunday, May 4, 2014 a kind, gentle and beautiful soul left this earth to find peace. Born April 13, 1926 in Los Angeles, California the daughter to the late, Karl Watz and Eleanor Mansfield. She was later the step-daughter to the late Monte Mansfield. She graduated from North Phoenix High School in 1943. She moved down to Tucson where she went to Via Carondelet, a private academy for girls that was located out in the middle of nowhere (eight miles outside the city) which is now Wilmot Rd. where the St Joseph's Hospital is located. Via Carondelet was described back then as a 175 acre tract of land, set amid velvety lawns, flowering terraces and sunken gardens in a magnificent group of modern buildings named after the seven Sisters who trekked across the desert from San Diego and started St. Mary's Hospital and the first St Joseph's Academy in 1870. Mom told us she was the most popular girl there because she had the only car. A Model T given to her by her step-father, Monte Mansfield who owned the first Ford dealership. They cruised around the endless dirt roads. She then went to and graduated from the University of Arizona where she was on the Archery Team. A member of Kappa Delta Kappa. She was on the Board of Directors for St. Luke's in the Desert and the Silver and Turquoise Ball. For 28 years she was the secretary/treasurer for the AAU swimming and diving organization. She worked many years as the Operations Manager for the OR at Kino Hospital. She was mother, to Chip (Jesse) Tab (Jan) and Anne (Bill). Grandchildren, Matt, Josh, Becca, Stina and Sephanie. Great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Jettsen and Renner. A Private Family Memorial will be held. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. Arrangements by DESERT ROSE HEATHER.