Murlene Annella Riccitelli

Murlene Annella (Jessen) Riccitelli passed away peacefully to rest eternally with Our Heavenly Father on June 20, 2025, at 92 years old. She was surrounded by her loving family in Phoenix, Arizona, which she proudly called home for over 73 years. Born on Christmas Eve, in Battle Creek, Iowa, she was the second of four children to Lorene and Elmer Jessen. Her childhood was blessed with the strength of family and friends working together during the Great Depression. As a teen, she worked at the local soda shop and learned to operate the phone switchboard. Murlene earned All-State honors as a guard on the Battle Creek High School basketball team. Her athletic talent earned her a scholarship to college in Sioux City, but declining health led a doctor to recommend the dry air of Arizona. In September 1951, she stepped off a Greyhound bus in Phoenix-two suitcases in hand and a YWCA reservation in place-determined to begin a new life. She was hired by AT&T as a telephone operator, where she met lifelong friends. She joined the service organization ESA Sorority and volunteered at the USO, where she met the love of her life, Vincent Riccitelli. In 1956, Murlene and Vince were married at St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral where they embraced the Gospel and lived as members of the Third Order of St. Francis. Murlene was active in the early days of the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, and later became a Cornerstone Parishioner of St. Louis the King Catholic Church in her new neighborhood. She attended Mass faithfully and opened the gift shop every Sunday. She was an active member of the Women's Club and served in numerous roles within the parish community. Murlene embraced motherhood with deep devotion, raising her children with love and a strong foundation of Catholic values. She baked daily and prepared seasonal meals, thoughtfully navigating food allergies with a mother's intuition. A lifelong member of her ESA Sorority, the Navy Mothers Club, Theresians, the Craft Club, and the Bridge Club, Murlene never missed a chance to contribute to her community. She found joy in celebrating life's milestones, always marking each occasion with a lovingly prepared dish, a thoughtful card, or a heartfelt, unhurried phone call. Murlene was a dedicated, nurturing mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Vincent; her parents, Lorene (Petersen) and Elmer Jessen; and her brother, Murrell Jessen. She is survived by her siblings, LaMae (Jessen) Hamblen and Arwood Jessen; her five children: Mary (David) Fries, Vincent Paul (Elizabeth) Riccitelli, Michael (Susan) Riccitelli, Marc (Barbi) Riccitelli, and Camella (Mark) Mumm; thirteen grandchildren: Daniel (Susan) Fries, Patrick (Sara) Fries, Keith (Christina) Riccitelli, Johnna (Joseph IV) Ware, Michaela (Spencer) Jones, Jordanna Riccitelli, Dominic Riccitelli, Camella Riccitelli, Brandon (Jasmine) Pritchett, Loren Riccitelli, Derek (Jamie) Riccitelli, Maximilian Mumm, and Elizabeth Mumm; and fifteen great-grandchildren: Henry, Frances, James, Alice, Vincent, Mia, Lyla, Joseph V, Enzo, Jordan, Sebastian, Amiya, Leiya, Zaiya, and Nyjah along with many loving nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Her legacy will live on with great joy. A Mass and celebration of her life will be held on Monday, July 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Louis the King Catholic Church with a reception in McFadden Hall until 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona at Pinnacle Peak at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is memorializing Murlene with a contribution to the church. Donations may be made in her name directly to: St. Louis the King Church 4331 W. Maryland Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301 Or through family via Venmo: @MurleneAZ