Candace Kent-Mead

Kent-Mead, Candace Hewitt
Candace Hewitt Kent-Mead, age 54, was taken from the world on Sunday, April 30th. The world is not a better place in her absence. The impact on the lives of those whom Candace profoundly affected is immeasurable, as is the loss of her future contributions to humanity and society. Candace charmed the masses with her warmth and vivacious personality. It was Candace's passion for life, her beauty, inside and out, the ease with which she lit up the room, her disarming smile and of course, her adroit sense of humor that first attracted her husband, and the love of her life, Brian, to her 20 years ago.Candace loved to travel. Alone or with Brian, Candace enjoyed visiting friends, family and new and sometimes exotic places. Candace made friends everywhere she went and often kept in touch with many whose life she touched along the way. A very special adventure was a trip to Washington, D.C. where Candace was sworn into the Supreme Court after she and Brian were treated to a VIP tour of the historic Supreme Court building. Candace enjoyed the northwest. She and Brian frequented San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria Island, picnicking and whale watching on the ferry rides. They shared an enchanting time on Camano Island in Washington. Candace's exciting nature drew her to breathtaking scenes of the Alaskan wilderness and to breath holding settings of Bisbee, AZ! Her latest adventure was to Roatán, an island off the coast of Honduras, where she left with a group of acquaintances and returned with many new friends. Candace earned her Bachelor's degree at UC San Bernadino and graduated from Arizona State University, College of Law and passed the Arizona Bar exam in 1990. After graduating from law school, she became a trial attorney for the Office of the Maricopa County Public Defender and quickly earned a reputation as a dedicated, tenacious, and skilled advocate for her clients. She was promoted to the position of Trial Group Supervisor where she continued to train young attorneys while supervising a team of approximately 40 attorneys, investigators and support staff. In 2001, after eleven fulfilling years as an advocate for the rights of indigent clients, Candace made the move to private practice; joining with Michael Ryan, to create Kent & Ryan, P.L.C. Candace was an approved Federal Criminal Justice Act panel lawyer and member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She was a member of the teaching faculty at the Office of the Maricopa County Public Defender as well as instructing at seminars sponsored by the State Bar of Arizona. At the time of her passing, Candace was managing her own successful private practice under the name of The Law Office of Candace Hewitt Kent, PLLC. Candace is survived by her husband Brian Mead, her son Daniel Hewitt, granddaughter Audriana, brother Rick, and sisters Debbie and Priscilla. Candace is preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur and Jewelle (Toni) Hewitt, and brother Terry.Charitable organizations supported by Candace include Southern Poverty Law Center, Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Muscular Dystrophy Association. Candace was also a Sustaining Member of KJZZ in support of public broadcasting. A tribute to Candace's enjoyment of life, a sunset memorial
and wake will be held at the location of her wedding to Brian, a favorite and special place to Candace. Fête will begin at 6:00 with a 7:30 toast on Sunday May 28th. Celebration of Candace's extraordinary life will continue…..