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Douglas Ludvigsen
December 14, 1945 - August 4, 2009
Douglas Ludvigsen, 63 was called home by the Lord on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 in Tucson, Arizona after a fifteen month battle with brain cancer. Doug was born on December 12, 1945 in Fremont, Nebraska and spent his childhood growing up there. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for four years before working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation for 32 years. Doug spent his retirement with his family playing golf and traveling to his favorite place, Cabo San Lucas. Doug was a loving husband, devoted father and caring friend. He was preceded in death by his father, Elmer and grandson, Noah Charles. Doug is survived by his wife Dee, sons Mark and Michael, daughters-in-law Jennifer and Allison, mother Lois, brothers Larry and Richard, sister Cindy and several nieces and nephews. Private family services will be held in Fremont, Nebraska. A Memorial Service will be held in Tucson at Fountain of Life Lutheran Church at 2:00 pm on Monday, August 17, 2009. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been set up in the name of Douglas Kent Ludvigsen at Barrow Neurological Foundation for the Brain Tumor Research Fund, 350 W. Thomas Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85013. Please put Douglas Ludvigsen on the memo line of your check.
Jean Leo Dempster
Born: March 13, 1928
Place of Birth: San Diego, California
Death: August 4, 2009
Place of Death: Tucson, Arizona
Occupation: Mechanical Engineer
"Jeano" graduated high school from St Augustine’s in San Diego, California. He then served in the US Navy as a Medical Corpsmen. In 1951 he graduated from California Maritime Academy in Vallejo. He worked for Westinghouse in Idaho Falls, Idaho where he felt most at home with wife Joan Sweeney raising 7 children. Working for General Electric and working from San Jose, California he also worked in Japan, Ohio, Illinois and Mexico constructing Nuclear Power Plants, retiring in Atascadero, California 1985. He then moved to Tucson, Arizona in 2001. Jeano enjoyed his neighbors and singles group of Rancho Vistoso Sun City. He always loved to work in his shop making metal sculptures and in his earlier days working on old cars. He was an excellent handyman and liked to help people around their homes fixing things. Every summer he would travel his way through Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon & California visiting friends and family.
SYBLE RAMIREZ
Born: August 8, 1935
Place of Birth: Cullman, Alabama
Death: August 2, 2009
Place of Death: Tucson, Arizona
Occupation: Homemaker
Syble Ruth Ramirez of Mammoth, Arizona died of natural causes on Sunday, August 2, 2009. She was 73 years old. Syble died peacefully in Tucson, surrounded by her loving family.
Syble was born in Hazel Green, Alabama on August 18, 1935 to Ore Isaac Wallace and Hazel Virginia Wallace. During her younger years she resided in Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, New Mexico, Nevada and California. Although she had travelled and lived in many places, she moved to Arizona in 1970 which became her “home”.
Retired and residing in Mammoth, Syble left her memories in many places. She served on the Mammoth Town Council, the Board of Directors for Sunlife Heathcare, was a counselor for Pima Council on Aging, a volunteer for the Elder Builders, was involved with the Copper Corridor Economic Development Council, and was also a counselor for Lifeline Medical Alert. Syble enjoyed being involved in the community, playing Bridge with various clubs in the tri-community, being a community youth activist and she also volunteered every Tuesday night to make it possible for the people of the community to enjoy free basketball.
Along with the civic duties she participated in, Syble was a loving mother, great neighbor and a wonderful friend to many people. Her kindness and generosity was felt by many within the tri-community she lived in as well as in surrounding communities as well. Although she will be missed greatly by many people her memory will live on through all of the lives she touched.
Syble is survived by; her daughter, Shannon Ramirez, who is employed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and based in San Antonio, Texas; her son Larry Ramirez who is employed by the Mammoth/San Manuel Unified School District and her son Kevin Callahan and his wife Becky who reside in Tucson. She is also survived by six grandchildren; Dominic Tafoya and his wife Tamar, Nicole Pita and her husband Danny, Andrea Tafoya, Shaun Callahan, Mitchell Patcheck and Baylon Patcheck, and seven great-grandchildren; Phillip, Dylon, Alix, Monica, Rebecca, David and Tony.
Syble’s Memorial Services will be held at the Blessed Sacrament Church on Saturday, August 8th, 2009 at 9:00 am. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that donations on Syble’s behalf be sent to the Pima Council on Aging either in person or through mail at 8467 E Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85710 or online at www.pcoa.org.
Maxine Elaine Mergener
Born: October 27, 1918
Place of Birth: Oelwein, Iowa
Death: August 2, 2009
Place of Death: Tucson, Arizona
Occupation: Sales Manager, Clothing Store
Maxine (Bruner) Mergener, 90, passed away on August 2, 2009 at La Canada Care Center in Tucson, Arizona.
Maxine was born in Oelwein, Iowa on October 27, 1918. Her family moved to
Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the 1930’s and Maxine graduated from Washington High School in 1936. Maxine married Richard Mergener in 1941 in Milwaukee, and the couple moved to Janesville, Wisconsin where Richard worked for the Hough Corporation for nearly 30 years. During the 1970’s Maxine was employed as a department supervisor at Weises in the Janesville Mall. In 1975 she moved to Upland, California, with Rich and daughter Debra. Husband Rich died in California in 1990. In 1993, Maxine moved with daughter Debra Campbell to Tucson, AZ.
Maxine is survived by her four children, Thomas Patrick and wife Sandy from
Green Valley, Arizona; Jean Rensink and husband Jim from Monroe, New York; Joseph and wife Jalayne from Janesville; and Debra Campbell and husband Jim from Oro Valley, Arizona; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Son Richard died in Tucson in February 2008.
John Patrick Flaherty
August 29, 1939 - August 1, 2009
John P. Flaherty, 69, formerly of Watertown, Connecticut, died August 1, 2009 at his home in Tucson, Arizona after an extended illness. He was the husband of Elaine (Goldberg) Flaherty.
John was born in Waterbury, Connecticut on August 29, 1939, the son of John P. Flaherty and Mary (Luddy) Flaherty. He received his Bachelors Degree from Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmetsburg, Maryland, as well as a Master of Science in History from Western Connecticut State University and a Master of Arts in Corporate and Political Communication from Fairfield University.
He began his professional career as an educator at Wilby High School, and following that worked for 25 years as a professor in the Humanities Department at Waterbury State Technical College. He retired in 1995 and moved to Tucson, Arizona.
While living in Watertown, he participated in several local and political activities. He was elected to two terms on the Watertown Town Council, and served as a member and chair of the Watertown Police Commission, and as a member of the Watertown Library Association Board of Directors.
In Tucson, John volunteered for the Native American Education Program and served as an educational tutor in the Sunnyside School District. He received numerous acknowledgements and awards for his volunteered services.
Besides his wife, John is survived by his children, Brian J. (Melanie) Flaherty of Watertown, CT; Marybeth (John) Sliter of Amston, CT; Thomas J. (Julie) Flaherty of Millbury, MA; Lisa (Robert) Baker of Watertown, CT and Maureen Flaherty of West Hartford, CT. He also leaves six grandchildren, Brendan, Katherine and Danny Flaherty, Michael Sliter, Ryan Flaherty and Jason Baker; stepchildren Richard Levine and Stephanie (Rich) Elliott of Torrington, CT and 2 step grandchildren Tanner and Chase Elliott. He is also survived by five nephews, several cousins and his aunt, Agnes M. Luddy, of Greenwood, SC.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 22, 2009 at Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd. Oro Valley, Arizona. A Memorial Mass is also being held at St. John the Evangelist Church, 574 Main St in Watertown, Ct on August 18, 2009.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Frederick J. O’Brien Memorial Scholarship, c/o Jim Vicario, Wilby High School, 568 Bucks Hill Rd. Waterbury, CT 06704 or San Xavier del Bac Mission, 1950 W. San Xavier Rd. Tucson, AZ 85746.
Mayme Pendrys
October 28, 1909 - July 28, 2009
Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 in Tucson, AZ. She was born in Hastings, PA on October 28, 1909. Mayme was dedicated to her family, her church, and her friends. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Edward M.
Mayme is survived by her son Edward (Fran) and her daughter Eileen Berst, Both of Tucson, AZ, and her daughter Lorraine ( Dennis) Pelc of Lakeview, NY; her brother Walter (Gloria) Beltowski of Ocala, FL. And sister, Mary Jedlikowski of Tonawanda, NY ; she is also survived by her granddaughter Lisa Pendrys of Tucson, AZ and her grandson Craig Pendrys of Houston, TX; Her great-grandson Gregory of Tucson, AZ; and Many Nieces and Nephews.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Thusday, August 20, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Santa Catalina Catholic Church. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kenmore, NY. In lieu of flowers memorials in Mayme’s name may be made to the charity of your choice.
Doris Lillian Beck
Born: December 18, 1926
Place of Birth: Teaneck, New Jersey
Death: July 26, 2009
Place of Death: Oro Valley, Arizona
Doris lived in this reality with peace, love and enormous grace. She transcended it the same way on July 26, 2009. She is survived by her husband of 58 years John, brother Jack, daughter Susan, son Jay and wife Meredith and granddaughter Jessica.
Doris lived a full life as a devoted wife, mother, nurse, artist and caring friend to many. Her love of beauty and her joy in the adventure of life touched everyone she met.
In lieu of flowers please send contributions to Casa de la Luz Hospice or Best Friends Animal Society.
Jeffrey Marcinowski
August 1, 1969 - July 25, 2009
Jeff was a great guy; fabulous father, son, brother, husband and wonderful friend. The companies he worked for enjoyed his exceptional service, commitment and contributions as well. The lives he touched were enriched by his gentle humor; his patient personality and his warmth. Cheers.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 1, 1969; Jeff passed away in Oro Valley, Arizona on July 25, 2009; one week short of his 40th birthday. His death was sudden, unexpected and for now from reasons unknown. His loss is tragic, devastating and unfathomable to those he left behind.
Jeff, one of three brothers, grew up in Philadelphia, in the Port Richmond neighborhood. His father was a fireman who had worked as an engineer on a fireboat for the Philadelphia Fire Department; his Mom volunteered and worked in the school library. Jeff and his family are Polish – a heritage that made him proud. Always an extremely bright kid with startling blue eyes, Jeff attended St. Adalbert’s Catholic School in his grade school years, St. Joseph’s Prep – an exclusive, private Jesuit High School; and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor where he majored in Aerospace Engineering graduating in 1991. Jeff also matriculated at Temple University where he attained an MBA with a marketing concentration in 1995. He later attended The University of Pennsylvania’s The Wharton School of Business & School of Engineering and Applied Science where he obtained a certificate in Executive Technology Management in 2001.
Jeff’s professional career focused on sales, product marketing, engineering, e-commerce development, operations, product development, product development management and strategic sourcing. His employers included Dwyer Instruments Inc., Newtown PA; Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc., Willow Grove PA; Franklin Electronic Publishers, Burlington NJ; Schiller-Pfeiffer/Commercial Grounds Care Inc., Southampton PA plus Johnson Creek WI; and Rain Bird Corporation, Tucson AZ.
Jeff was quietly interested in almost everything around him. He was a true Renaissance Man. He enjoyed cycling and body building, and his engineering brain was attracted to technology – especially computers. He was an avid reader, and in the last few years became a connoisseur learning about and enjoying wines from throughout the world and he liked a good smelly cheese. He enjoyed cooking and entertaining for family gatherings. Jeff also loved music and had a diverse and eclectic collection. He wrote poetry and was a fan of astronomy. Jeff also loved learning about everything around him – especially the Sonoran Desert in the last months of his life.
Jeff’s work gave him the opportunity to travel the world. In Singapore, he was the biggest guy on the floor in a clean room suit and he loved every minute of it. In rural China, the only hotel lodged him in the Presidential Suite which had nine couches. He called wife, Lynden, and talked while sitting on each and everyone. In Europe, he attended one of the most formal, old school and memorable black tie dinner events of his life. From the Great Wall of China to a celebration in Tijuana he was at home in many cultures and relished the chance to see and learn about them. He also celebrated cultural diversity at home. Jeff, Lynden and Sophia have had live-in child care/international students with them from the Ukraine, Tatiana; Brazil – Manuela Matos who lived with them in Pennsylvania and who has been with the family this summer; Marta from Poland; Cristina from Mexico and Noon from Thailand.
In 1995, Jeff met Lynden Kidd and they married in 1998 in Moose, Wyoming at the Chapel of the Transfiguration. They lived in Newtown, Pennsylvania for ten years. In 2002, their daughter Sophia was born. Sophia and Lynden were the loves of his life. Jeff’s work took them to the greater Milwaukee area in the summer of 2007. For 18 months they lived in Oconomowoc, WI where they have many friends. In December 2008, Jeff began working for Rain Bird Corporation in Tucson. The family moved to Marana AZ at the end of December, 2008. Jeff, Lynden and Sophia’s time here has been a period of great happiness.
Jeff was a devoted husband and doting father. Lynden and Sophia lit up his life and everyone who knew him was well aware of that fact. Jeff was often found noggin to noggin with Sophia conspiring some type of fun. Jeff was also a loving son, brother and with his friends – a deep cool well of support and light heartedness.
Jeff and Lynden have a business called Next Iteration. Lynden manages the front office and Jeff supported the back office, Lynden in addition to his day job. Partners in every sense; Jeff was always looking for ways to bring joy to their lives; to make great things happen and to make a difference in the world.
Jeff was a champion at having a zest for life; he was a happy, funny and wonderful guy who tackled every challenge with determination; skills and aplomb. Jeff was compassionate and loving in thought, deed, word and spirit. He made the world and the lives he touched better. He will be missed.
John Thomas Gray
December 11, 1918 - July 22, 2009
John Thomas Gray - died in Christ July 22, 2009
Born December 11, 1918 to John P and Eliza E Gray of Lawrence, MA. He is survived by his wife Mickey, sons John and Keith, 6 grandchildren and 4 great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Doug in January. John served in the US Army AirCorp as a radioman on a B-25 during WWII. After the war he began a 30 year career with JC Penney which moved him from Michigan to California. Upon retiring from JC Penney he and Mickey traveled extensively after opening a Gallery/Frame Shop in Ojai, CA. John was a Rotarian and very active in community affairs in Ojai. In 1992, John and Mickey moved to Tucson, AZ. He became the volunteer Director at Tucson Association for the Blind for 9 years until he lost partial vision. After leaving TAB, he continued to volunteer for Northwest Medical Center until he lost his total vision.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, August 7, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Santa Catalina Catholic Church, 14380 N. Oracle Rd, Catalina, AZ. A reception will follow at Quail Ridge Estates, 15301 N. Oracle RD, Catalina, AZ.
The family wishes to thank the staff and residents of Desert Palms Assisted Living for their loving care.
Augustine Caesar Battisti
April 21, 1926 - July 19, 2009
Battisti, Augustine, 83 of Tucson, Arizona, passed away July 19, 2009. Augie was born April 21, 1926 in Altoona, PA and served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.
Survived by his loving wife Vera, of 59 years, daughters Gloria (Wayne) Boyer, of Tucson, AZ and Deborah (Richard) Chilson, of Owego, NY; son Armand Battisti, of New Castle, DE; grandsons Chris and Tim Boyer and Sean Chilson; granddaughters Sarah Cuciti and Carrie Chilson; great-granddaughter Amalia Cuciti. Augie was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
A memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday July 24, 2009 at Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd, Oro Valley. 544-2285
Gerhardt Walter Olson
January 26, 1916 - July 18, 2009
Our hearts are heavy with the passing of Gerhardt Walter Olson, on July 18, 2009.
Gerhardt was born on January 26, 1916, in Bowdle, South Dakota, to Reverend Otto P. Keller and Adeline Giem Keller. After his father’s passing in 1916, Gerhardt was later adopted by his step-father Dr. Oscar Olson and raised with his five brothers and two sisters.
Gerhardt completed his schooling in Bowdle in 1933 and then assisted his father in his dental office as a Dental and Laboratory Technician. In 1935, he attended the University of South Dakota, majored in Pre-Medicine, and joined the brotherhood of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. Having to quit college due to the financial strain on his family, Gerhardt began working for the Nion Corporation, a vitamin company, as a Salesman traveling all over the West Coast. It was through these travels, that he met and fell in love with Beverlee Jewell, whom he married on New Years Eve 1939. Gerhardt continued to work for the Nion Corporation before he was drafted into the Navy in 1944 in which he chose to serve as a Hospital Apprentice First Class USNR until he was discharged in 1946.
After his service in the Navy, Gerhardt returned to the Nion Corporation which transferred him to Gardena, California where he and Beverlee raised their two children, Richard Harry Olson and Gery Sue Olson. In 1949, Gerhardt began to work for the Pfizer Pharmaceutical Corporation and proudly retired after 29 years of service. After 23 years of glorious marriage, Beverlee left Gerhardt to be with the Lord.
Through his travels with Pfizer and visits to doctor’s offices, Gerhardt met a lovely X-Ray technician named Agnes Loriane Bollinger, whom he fell in love with and married in 1962. With Agnes, he welcomed her son Robert Bollinger to the family. After retiring from Pfizer, Agnes and Gerhardt moved to Henryetta, Oklahoma where they happily lived for 33 years until Agnes passed away in August of 1995.
In 1997, Gerhardt moved to Tucson, Arizona to live with his daughter, Gery Sue and her family. He enjoyed his hands-on part in raising their two daughters, Kelli and Tamara, and enjoyed spending his days gardening and tending to his beautiful rosebushes, cooking many delicious meals including his famous barbequed ribs, exercising on his stationary bike, and enjoying his time with his many close animal companions.
In 2001, Gerhardt had a fateful meeting with the beautiful Mary Nielsen, the grandmother of his future grandson-in-law Kevin Gibbs. For the next 8 years, Gerhardt and Mary lived, laughed, and loved together through their weekly dinner and lunch dates, vacation cruises to Hawaii and Alaska, and endless everyday phone conversations. Her companionship and love brought Gerhardt the greatest joy in the last years of his life.
Gerhardt was a member of the Masonic Order, The Grand Lodge of California, and The American Legion. He enjoyed basketball and track in his youth and participated in ballroom and square dancing with friends and neighbors in his adulthood. Gerhardt was always supportive of the passions of his children and grandchildren by attending ski trips, teaching them how to fish, cheering them on at swim and gymnastic competitions, and by watching whatever sporting event was being televised by their particular colleges. He also enjoyed being a part of his granddaughters’ high school and college graduations and being a part or their weddings.
Gerhardt loved his family, relished spending time with loved ones, and blessed all those around him with his big smile and quick wit. All who met him commented on what a gentleman he was. He was a warm and loyal friend, a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who will be sorely missed by all those whose lives he touched.
