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Rochelle Witten Obituary
Rochelle Garth Witten, better known as Shelle, passed away early Monday morning, November 26, 2012 at age 60. She was a guiding light for all of us and will be greatly missed. Although her light has left, she will continue to shine upon us from afar. Shelle was a devoted daughter, a loving sister, an amazing mother, a caring colleague and a compassionate friend. She was the glue that held our family together over distance and time. Born in Des Moines, Iowa on May 11, 1952, she moved to Phoenix with her family in 1960, attended Central High School and later left for college in 1970, living in California, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri before returning to Phoenix in 1991. A lifetime lover of learning, she ultimately earned two Masters degrees. Shelle loved her work as a librarian and spent the past 21 years sharing her passion at Paradise Valley Community College. She gave of herself to any and all who needed her help and showed her selfless and compassionate nature every day of her life. Her personal passions included a love of nature, books, music, movies, plays and museums. And she loved giraffes. An avid environmentalist, she was green before green was popular. She converted her home to solar energy and made it a point to drive a hybrid car, not because it was fashionable, but because she felt it was important. She was always ready for a good hike or exploring a new trail or outdoor adventure. Shelle is pre-deceased by her mother, Alicia (1974) and her father, Benjamin (Babe, 2010). She is survived by her son, Zachary, serving actively in the US Coast Guard in California, her two brothers, Dwayne (Susan) and Blake (Janet), both of Phoenix, AZ, many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends. No funeral service is planned but a memorial gathering will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online or by mail to the National Nature Conservancy ( www.nature.org/donate ) or to Hospice of the Valley ( www.hov.org/donate ). Shelle - keep the light on so that the rest of us don't lose our way.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Rochelle Witten
Lynn
November 26, 2023
Shelle was such a great teacher and friend at Paradise Valley Community College. She was involved in a lot great initiatives and programs on campus and worked closely with instructors to improve student learning. Shelle is greatly missed.
Shelley Handley
March 11, 2021
Shelle Witten was, is an amazing person, in education, as well! I was a student, who met her, spent time in the library, getting to know her. I am grateful, for all her dedication, spirit, inside of her passion for helping students. I share a picture, a tribute of her, that was put up in the library; she made a difference, every day. What does love have to do with what we do, EVERYTHING. Witten is missed, all the time, for her generosity in every day matters, kind, good and so much more. She built options, programming, and more, so students could benefit. That room in the background is part of what she accomplished, for others.
Andrea Robertson
December 13, 2012
Shelle will be truly missed. Her smile and energy always lit up a room. Thank you for everything Shelle!
December 12, 2012
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same. I will miss our heart to heart talks and your genuine friendship Shelle.
Mary Early
December 12, 2012
Shelle brought so much joy and energy to all of the wonderful ideas that she had that made the library and PVCC such wonderful places to be. I'm so grateful to have known her and to have experienced the light she brought to our students and her colleagues.
Denisha Austin
December 12, 2012
Shelle you will be missed. I hope to meet up with you. You are such an amazing lady. I love you.
December 12, 2012
Shelle has been my dearest friend and mentor for over 20 years. She was my guiding light in designing and developing the Paradise Valley Community College Archives (history of the school). She was like a mom to all of us at the library with personal attention and gifts for the library kitchen each year. That kitchen was much better stocked than my kitchen at home.
I will not be able to attend the Papago Park Service because I will be in Portland Oregon visiting my new grandson who was born Dec. 10th. Life renews itself and remains with us in our warm memories. Have a blessed holiday season.
Bret Reed
December 11, 2012
Shelle was a great colleague and consummate professional whose work made our library and community richer in many ways. As a lover of the arts, she was a kindred spirit who will be missed greatly.
Elizabeth Saliba
December 11, 2012
Shelle was one of the warm, kindest people I have had the pleasure of knowing. She cared about her work, she cared about others, and was always willing to help. She was especially kind to me during some difficult times. When I remember her, I think of her positive spirit and energy. She will be missed but not forgotten.
December 11, 2012
Shelle, What I will remember most about you is how much you cared for others. Thanks for being my friend. Love, Steve Nicoloff.
Gary Smith
December 11, 2012
Shelle was a wonderful colleague and a genuine pleasure to know. She will be greatly missed.
Lynn McClelland
December 11, 2012
PVCC is a better place because Shelle taught here and cared so much. She strove to be involved with classes and programs that engaged students while giving them the skills necessary to succeed. More importantly, she wanted these experiences to resonate with students teaching them something deeper about life, belief systems, and cultures. She welcomed us all, and she will be sorely missed.
Tom Butler
December 11, 2012
Shelle, you are still an inspiration to me. Thank you for your friendship, encouragement, optimism, and professional example. Your family has a huge absence in it with the loss of your presence. I will pray for solace in their grief.
Alison Livingston
December 11, 2012
Shelle, I miss waving to you each morning as you arrived to work. Also our chats as we passed in the hallway, and of course your smile.
Alison
Cranston Forte'
December 11, 2012
I am sad to see her go, but I am sure glad that I had the chance to meet her.
Dan Donahue
December 11, 2012
I loved every meeting I ever had with Shelle. She was funny, inspiring and always had a smile on her face even when she had reasons not to.
Pamela Osback
December 11, 2012
Shelle,
Your smiling face welcomed everyone to the PVCC library. You brought energy and enthusiasm to your co workers but even more, it spilled over whenever you worked with the students. You touched many.
Marilyn Cristiano
December 11, 2012
Shelle was a wonderful person who was always ready to help a student, staff member, or fellow faculty. Her work will have a positive impact for years to come. She was a lovely lady who was well loved and will be dearly missed.
John Chavez
December 11, 2012
Shelle, was one of kind! Kind, smart, caring, and much more. She was your ultimate librarian who knew where to go to, to find your answers to those difficult questions you had! She was loved by all of the students she helped because she showed them how to fish! Shelle, you will be missed but not forgotten! Thank you for being a friend and colleague of mine!
Bahman Maneshni
December 9, 2012
Loving, caring, positive person. When I was tired of my daily teaching assignments, I would rush to the library to read and rest. I was greeted by your smile, warmth and inquisitive nature.
Shelle thank you for giving me strength, hope and many smiles. Will miss you big time. I am confident that you will have wonderful gifts to people on the other side. I am blessed to have known you. God speed and rest in peace.
Mary Pomerantz Hansen
December 7, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with Shelle's family. I havent seen her in years but, we grew up together and our families were family. ,
Lori Espinoza
December 3, 2012
My heart is heavy and missing the wonderful wisdom and words from such a multifaceted being as Shelle. Her light guided many of us and provided a loving and nurturing direction. I will miss our heart to heart exchanges and my gratitude is overflowing for her friendship, guidance and inspiration.
Timberline Lodge May 2011
Lori Espinoza
December 3, 2012
What a nut! Cave Dweller Oregon May 2011
Lori Espinoza
December 3, 2012
Shelle - Oregon May 2011
Lori Espinoza
December 3, 2012
Shelle at Timberline Lodge Oregon May 2011
Lori Espinoza
December 3, 2012
Bob Bendotti
December 2, 2012
Thanks Shelle for always allowing me to call you "Rochelle", such a beautiful name for such a kind and caring spirit. I will always recall our regular coffee chat discussions; when we both tried to make sense of our world. Each of our discussions enriched our lives and caused us to think more deeply about so many important things--and we experienced the blissful joy of learning together.
What I will recall most Rochelle is your "voice"--the voice that reflected your values and your intelligence, the voice that gently reminded everyone that we share residence in this world together, the soft voice that spoke loudly in the presence of injustice, and finally, the voice that could sing like an angel. RIP Rochelle, you left our world a much better place for having been in it.
December 2, 2012
Thank you , dear Shelle, for sharing a great and beatiful part of your life with me. You were definitely a bright and shining Light and will be forever. Rich Neuman
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