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Mary Sanchez Obituary
Mary was called home to our heavenly Father on June 29, 2009 at the age of 75. She was surrounded by family as she passed away peacefully. She was born on August 15, 1933 to her beloved parents, the late Juventino and Beatriz Lopez. She lived in Phoenix all of her life and is survived by her sister, Beatrice Herrera, Aurora Lopez, Elisa Lopez Bernardoni and her brother Dr. Juventino Lopez; nephews, Arnold, Richard and Daniel Herrera; David and Steve Bernardoni, niece, Cynthia King and special cousins Susie and Patsy. Mary was preceded in death by her infant son, Ricardo Joseph Sanchez and her nephew James Bernardoni who went to heaven on December 18, 2008. Mary loved and cherished her nieces, Christina, Rhianna, Danielle, Jade, Tatum, Tayla and nephew Gabriel. Mary graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1953. Her favorite hobby was gardening, but her greatest joy was being around children and family. She joined the Arizona State Corporation Commission in 1959 serving in various Administrative Director positions. A surprise party was held in January, 2009 with nearly 100 people to celebrate Mary's 50 years of service to the State of Arizona. Mary's pets were a toy Doberman, Esmeralda, and a Malacan Cockatoo, Dulce. Mary was loved by so many people not only in Arizona and other USA states, but from several countries. She is greatly missed and we hold her steadfastly in our hearts, trusting and knowing that we will see her as God calls us to join her in Heaven. The funeral services will be held at St. Helen's Catholic Church, 5510 W. Cholla St. Glendale, at 8:30 AM on July 7, 2009. Rosary will be held at 8:00 AM and interment at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ. Arrangements entrusted to A.L. Moore Grimshaw.
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Yvonne Contreras
July 10, 2009
I always enjoyed working with Mary as she was such a kind and giving person. She would confide in me and I in her. I love Mary and I miss her very much. She spoke to me about her father and showed me a picture of her family that was on the cover of a magazine. She had great pride when she spoke of her family. We both have a love for birds and she spoke about Dulce all the time. I was always asking Mary to relax and to stop working so hard but she loved her job. She is finally at rest now. May your family be at peace and may God Bless you all. I will never forget you Mary.
Susie Angulo
July 10, 2009
To Bea, Dora, Lisa, Juvy and the rest of the Lopez family,
Thank you for the honor that you bestowed upon me to be a part of Mary’s journey back home to our Heavenly Father. I have loved all of you my whole life and have so many wonderful memories of our times together. I appreciate the way that you all loved my mother Nellie, and how you helped our family when she was sick. I also appreciate the care and love that you showed to my sisters Margie and Lucy when they had their complications from diabetes. We truly have been a family that looks out for each other through good times and bad.
I’m glad for the time that I shared with Mary. We always had fun talking when we would get together for the holidays at Margie and Pete’s house. I especially enjoyed it when she needed a ride to or from work. We talked about what was going on with the nieces and nephews and their children and would reminisce a lot about the old days when we were younger, talk about our mothers and just a have little laugh now and then about something the kids had said or done.
These past four months have been hard for you to bear watching her go back and forth through the recovery process and her various setbacks. The best day was seeing her get well enough to come home and sit in her chair, play with Dulce and watch her Tele Novélas.
Dora and Lisa, no one could ask for more loving and devoted sisters. The care you took with her was a blessing for Mary and for the both of you to be able to show her your love that way. Bea and Juvy, your love was felt everyday with your worry and phone calls to check on Mary. You are such a tight knit family with such caring, concern and love for each other.
I know her passing has been very hard for all of us to bear, but we know that we will see her again one day when it is our turn to walk through Heaven’s gate. What a smile will be on our faces when we see all of our loved ones again. Until then, I am here for you in whatever way you need me. Please know that I love you with all my heart and that you are in my prayers every day to feel God’s comfort and strength through your grief.
With all my love,
Your cousin,
Tarita Walker-davis
July 8, 2009
I worked with Mary for a short time but she made me feel like apart of the ACC family right away. I didn't know how much pain she was in because she wore a smile always....I will miss you Mary! May God keep and protect those that you care for and love left behind....
Eileen and Jeff Roselli
July 7, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary's family. I worked with Mary at the ACC for many years and she always took us "youngsters" under her wing earning the nickname "Mother Mary" because that was what she was to many!!! May you rest in peace now Mary.
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Theresa Vallejos
July 7, 2009
My deepest thoughts and prayers go out to Mary's Family. I will miss Mary telling me Good Morning Mejia how are you. Well No more pain and suffering. You are now with Richard your husband and your two babys. The little two angels that watch over you while you were here on earth. Mary you were like a mother to alot of us here a the Corporation Commission telling us stories of when you first started here at the commission. I never got to see only but the sweet side of mary. You will always have a special part in my heart and even though you have left us here on earth you spirt will live on forever.
Mary rest in peace you will always be a angel in my eyes!
Theresa Benitez- Vallejos
Theresa Vallejos
July 7, 2009
My thoughts and Prayers go out to Mary's family. I'm really going to miss you. I will no longer hear your
voice telling me Good Morning Mejia how are you. Well no more pain and suffering. You are now resting with Richard and your two baby's you are now all together. May God Bless you all may you rest in peace Mary.
You will be greatly missed, you will always have a special place in my heart. I always got to see the sweet side of you as if you were like a mother to us all here at the corporation commission. We all love you mary and always will.
Theresa Benitez-Vallejos
Tonya Arroyo
July 6, 2009
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mary's family. Mary was both sweet and feisty - which is what I loved about her! I will never forget our talks and all the stories she told me and I will never forget the salsa she always made for our parties at the Commission(she would always sneak me a cup of it to take home).
I'm really going to miss you Mary!
July 6, 2009
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mary's Family. She was a lovely person. I was honored to be able to work with her and listen to her old stories that she would tell. Mary was a fighter and such a great person she will be missed by many but we all know where she went.
RIP
Mary
PETER GRAHM
July 6, 2009
May God bless your family in this time of sorry and may you live forever in our hearts.
Peter Graham @ ACC
Mary Lee
July 6, 2009
I loved Mary she was very special to me. She was wonderful and full of life. She also made you want to go on when times where hard. I will always remember her for her strength to just keep on going. You are loved and will be truely missed ML.
July 6, 2009
R.I.P.
She will be missed.
Deb Furlong
July 6, 2009
I did not know Mary well, as my time with the Commisssion has been relatively short (compared to Mary!) My interactions with Mary were always pleasant; I always felt her goodness and her peace. She will be missed. My prayers are with Mary's family and friends at this difficult time.
Ann Rackley
July 6, 2009
I will miss Mary and her sense of humor. The old stories she told of the early days of the commission and her dedication to work.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
July 6, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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