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Maurine Lasswell Obituary
MN, died at her home in central Phoenix on February 22, 2006. Molly grew up in Phoenix and attended St. Gregory's Catholic Grade School, Xavier High School, Arizona State University and Good Samaritan Nursing School, where she graduated as valedictorian of her nursing class in 1972. Molly was employed as a Registered Nurse at several medical facilities around the Valley. She also served from 1976 to 1978 at Los Pequenos Hermanos Orphanage in Cuernavaca, Mexico, where she was the primary medical provider for 1,200 children. She was the school nurse for St. Gregory's Catholic Grade School for many years and was a very active volunteer for multiple social service organizations around Phoenix. She was married to Steve Lasswell in 1980 and had six adopted children. She was preceded in death by her brother Tim (Carney) Derksen and her daughter Elena Lasswell. She is survived by her husband Steve Lasswell, her children Martin (Nicole), Katie, Joseph, John, and Michael Lasswell, her parents Larry and Maurine Derksen, her brothers Larry (Cari), Mark (Carol), Pat (Melanie), and Danny (Krista) Derksen, her sister Katie (Tom) Tourville, her grandson Xavion Jordan Lasswell, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and Godchildren. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 2, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at St. Gregory's Church, 19th Ave. and Osborn Rd. in Phoenix, followed by a prayer service & eulogies at 7:00 PM. Her Funeral Mass will be Friday, March 3, at 11:00 AM, also at St. Gregory's, followed immediately by a luncheon reception in St. Gregory's Gordon Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either St. Gregory's Development Fund at 3424 North 18th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85015, or to Catholic Charities at 4747 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85013. Molly was a well known and greatly loved fixture in our community and she will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew her. Arrangements by Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.
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Memories and Condolences
for Maurine Lasswell
Mary Jo West
March 9, 2006
Dear Steve,
It was the love that you and Molly showed to the world that was the inspiration for us to open our hearts to a child without a home. The adoption of our own "Molly" truly began when I met your Molly at a festival at St. Gregory's surronded by all these precious little children you two nourished and protected. We will daily keep you and yours as well as Molly's parents and her siblings in our prayers. We love you. Mary Jo West and daughter Molly Mahoney
Debra Stephenson
March 7, 2006
May the love of family and friends comfort and strenghten you in the days ahead. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Stephenson Family; James, Debra, Adam and Alyssa
Mary Ann Marc-Aurele
March 6, 2006
DearSteve, Michael, John, Joe, Katie and Martin,
Our prayers are with you. Ask if you need anything. Molly will be missed by so many, Please take care of each other. Roger & Mary Ann
Kathy Lawless
March 4, 2006
Derksens & Lasswells-
Sadly, I just learned of Molly's death from family in Phoenix - my prayers are with all of you during this incredibly difficult time. Molly and I lived and worked together at NPH in Cuernavaca many years ago. She was a great friend and roomie - we shared lots of wonderful times along with Dan and John Auther and all of the Pequenos. Her passion for the kids, her hard working nature and her wisdom taught me so much during those times that I have carried with me for the past 30 (!) years. Thinking of her today made me think of the saying attributed to Francis of Assisi: "Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words."
In Him, Kathy Ryan Lawless
Pete&LeAnne Prenovost
March 2, 2006
To Molly's Family,
Our deepest sympathy, Molly is an
awesome person. She was encouraging
and instrumental in so many lives,
including ours. She will be greatly
missed on Saturday mornings.
Christine Gray (Clouse)
March 2, 2006
Steve,
I grieve with and for you and your children. Molly had such compassion and a tender heart. I know that as Jesus greeted her this week she heard the words "Well done my good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:23)
May you find comfort in knowing that Molly has become one of those witnesses (a cheerleader for your life) that we read about in Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." I pray that the Lord and Molly's spirit give you the perseverance you will need in the months ahead. Sincere blessings for all of you.
Peace,
(Tina Gray from CFCA)
Helene Cormier (Pershinsky)
March 2, 2006
My prayers and thoughts are with the Lasswell family.
Molly is very kind and loving wife, mother and inspiration to all women.
She touched so many lives in so many ways we will all miss her.
Sympathy from the Cormier (Pershinsky) family.
Marge Pershinsky
March 2, 2006
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Lasswell's and Derksen family as well as to Molly's friends. Molly was a very kind and loving person, she will be missed.
Tony and Carol Consentino
March 2, 2006
Steve, family and the Deksen families,
Your loss is our loss. We mourn with you in this time of sorrow.
Many memories of Molly we will cherish - one in particular was when Molly asked me to take pictures when you brought John home for the first time from the adoption agency. I was honored and humbled by Molly and you both, Steve - Your love for children and willingness to make them your own is an inspiration.
Molly's gentle spirit and love for her family and the work of the church at St. Gregory's will always be remembered. Her legacy is love. We have all been blest for having her a part of our lives.
You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Always,
Tony and Carol
Coach Ramirez
March 2, 2006
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. We are very sorry for your loss. May God be with you for faith and strength during this difficult time in your lives. Sincerely, Coach Ramirez and Family
PATSY VERDUZCO
March 2, 2006
My deepest sympathy to both the Lasswell and Derksen family. Molly was a friendly and caring person, she will be missed dearly. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
The Verduzco Family
Kerry "Tiger Miller" Witzeman
March 1, 2006
Hello Dear Derksen Family and childhood friend Katie,
I am so very sorry to learn of Molly's death. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. We recently lost our Mom and one of the many blessings we received as a family was to see all those who loved Mom gather to honor her life. I wish and pray that bit of joy during your time of sorrow...to look upon all the many faces who love and honor Molly and share in the joy that she gave to this earth. A funny little memory I have was of Molly coming to the rescue in the bathroom of your childhood home after Katie and I had "cut and styled" each other's hair!! What a great big sister. All our love and Katie, if you get this, I included my email...sending love and prayers to you, Kerry "Tiger Miller" Witzeman
Sharon Markham Canady
March 1, 2006
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mona Shelley
March 1, 2006
I will miss Molly and her kindness,care,wisdom and wit. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. With love, Mona and family
Miriam Olson
March 1, 2006
Dear Family,
I wish Maggie and I could be there, our thoughts and prayers are with you. The world was much better for having Molly in it, and she will be so missed.
Miriam
Mary Beth Groseta(Lynch)
March 1, 2006
Molly gave us courage to adopt our own son in 1985. She modeled love, acceptance, respect for all people,and dedication to Our Lord and Our Lady through her Catholic Faith. Our hearts ache terribly for each of you, Steve and your family. Francie and I were two of the Lynch girls who went to Xavier with Molly. Be assured that we will be praying for all of you often now and the years to come.God must have needed her desperately in heaven to help in His work.We ask the angels and saints to surround each of you and minister sharing strength,comfort and peace.God bless, Francie LLoyd and Mary Beth Groseta.
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