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April Gagnon Obituary
Mesa - April Lyn Gagnon passed away at Banner Desert Hospital on January 13, 2020. She was attended by her husband Larry, brother Brian and sister-in-law Lezlie. Her passing ended an eight-year long battle with breast cancer. She was 76.
April Gagnon (nee Clark) was born on April 5th, 1944 in Kew Gardens Hospital, Queens, New York to Theodore (Ted) and Alice Clark of New York and New Jersey.
In 1962 she graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School in Rumson, New Jersey. After 3 years of nursing studies and practical hospital training, she received her Registered Nurse (RN) diploma from the New York Saint Luke's Hospital School of Nursing. She stayed on as a staff nurse for the next two years, then moved to Berkeley, California to work as a staff nurse (ob/gyn) at Alta Bates Hospital, and to complete a B.A. degree in Psychology (Summa Cum Laude) at the University of San Francisco.
When her electrical engineer father (Ted) and artist step-mother (the former Eleanor Pohling) retired to Tempe, April studied at Arizona State University, earning an MC (Master of Counseling) degree and License/Certification. She went on to hold professional positions with: Phoenix South Community Mental Health Center, American Institute for Research, Phoenix Memorial Hospital, Mesa Lutheran Hospital, Lutheran Home and Community Care, and Jewish Family and Children's Services of Arizona.
In 1974 April married Dr. (then student) Laurence Ralph (L.R.) Gagnon. The couple settled in Mesa Az. to raise their sons: Casey and Jeff. An avid bible reader, April also enjoyed reading Victorian mysteries and studying the history and women's styles of the era. This inspired her own original designs in counted-cross-stitch and weaving. She completed over 200 pieces during her 40-year artistic career. She loved listening to classical Jazz and Rock-and Roll (50s do-wop) and 60s "girl" groups like the Supremes. She read Conan Doyle, Poe, and Grace Livingston Hill while listening to her favorite classical musical pieces by Bach, Vivaldi, and Scarlatti.
Besides her sons and husband, she is survived by younger brothers Brian and Ken, sister-in-law Lezlie, and brothers-in-law Jeff and Jack Gagnon.
In lieu of flowers her family requests donations to 2 of her favorite charities: Compassion International of Colorado Springs, Colorado 80997-004 (for her sponsored Haitian son Kellens Darwensky Jean Pierre), and Saint Jude's Children's Hospital.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for April Gagnon
5 Entries
Claudia Hertzel Curtis
April 7, 2021
April and I were roommates at St Lukes School of Nursing during our junior year in school. She visited with me and my family several times during our years together. I always admired April, she was kind, warm-hearted, loving, as beautiful inside as she was outside. It is my loss that we lost touch. I send my sincere condolences to April’s family.
April 1, 2020
My condolences are extended as you mourn the loss of your dear loved one. May you find comfort and strength to cope during this trying time. (Psalm 90:10)
March 27, 2020
May God's promise found in John 6:40, of the hope to see our loved ones again, comfort your heart and give you peace, strength, and hope in the days ahead.
March 27, 2020
Please accept my condolences . I'm so sorry for the loss of your loved one. May the word of God comfort and strengthen you. 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17
March 24, 2020
My condolences are extended as you mourn the loss of your dear loved one. May you find comfort and strength to cope during this trying time. (Psalm 90:10)
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