Tiffany Ann Makaus

Tiffany Ann Makaus, aged 46, and a third generation Arizonan, passed away at 1:45 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2015, in her hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. Tiffany was an intelligent, compassionate and energetic young woman who fiercely loved her friends, family and, of course, her faithful dog Murray. To all of the many lives she touched, she remains an exceptional example of unwavering strength and modest character in the midst of great challenges with overwhelming odds. She is survived by her father and mother, Peter and Suzan Spearin Makaus; Brent, her devoted brother; and her adoring, embracing cousins the Washburn, Kamrar, Forbes, Blenkiron and Spearin families. Tiffany's grandfather Spearin started a candy company in Los Angeles, which became Edy's Character Candies. She had a long family of history in this city. From the beginning, Tiffany worked hard and was determined to accomplish great things. Prior to adulthood, Tiffany attended Phoenix Country Day School, All Saints' Episcopal Day School and Xavier College Preparatory High School, where she was a St. Luke's debutante and involved in assisting people in need. She declined Eileen Ford's modeling agency in NY to pursue her business and educational desires. As a young woman, she attended The University of the South (a/k/a "Sewanee") for one year, and then transferred to DePauw University, where she particularly excelled, and received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science. Also at DePauw, Tiffany was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and studied abroad at the University of Madrid, the University of Argentina and The University and King's College of Aberdeen. She subsequently attended graduate school, receiving a Master of International Management from The Thunderbird School of Global Management. Tiffany's professional career was as notable as her academic achievements. Working for Sallenberry & Casey in London inspired her to pursue a career in international business. She served as a Financial Analyst for Circle K and was a Head of the International Banking services for the Bank of Guatemala, Manager of Finance at Havi Group and a Zenith plus a Team Leader at KPMG. Prior to her death, she served as a Vice President of Treasury and Security Services for JPMorgan Chase N.A. Along with the drive and determination she exhibited in the workplace, Tiffany was able to maintain strong bonds with family, friends and her community. She was involved with numerous charities, among them, the Auxiliary Board of the Lincoln Park Zoo, a soup kitchen in Santa Monica, the Junior League of Chicago, the Field Museum of Chicago and the John McCain Presidential Campaign. Tiffany loved art, music, history and travel. She had a natural ability to immerse herself in other cultures, and her passion for learning was infectious. In addition to living all over the United States, Tiffany lived in or toured many countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, The Middle East, Central America and South America. Her journeys took her to China when it first opened to Westerners, to Israel to stay on a kibbutz and to Berlin when the Wall came down. One of her most passionate hobbies was meeting interesting people along her travels, including Mrs. Anwar Sadat, the President of Costa Rica and her personal heroes, Margaret Thatcher and Sandra Day O'Connor. For most, it would take several lifetimes to accomplish what Tiffany was able to do in her brief time on Earth. Tiffany's friends and family will always remember her as a beautiful, intelligent woman with a keen sense of loyalty; a witty, irreverent sense of humor; and a distinguishable laugh and smile. She never complained, always kept a positive attitude and never had a bad word to say about anyone. No matter how ridiculously cruel and unfair life became, she would always ask, "But how are you?" Tiffany's strength, grace, kindness and joie de vivre will not be forgotten. She will be missed by all.