Patricia Lorraine Flores' Obituary
Patricia L. Flores, 68, of Tucson, AZ, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 26, 2013, after losing her fight against gastric cancer. She was born on December 31, 1944, in Tucson, AZ. She is survived by her beloved husband and caregiver, Gilbert T. Flores of 47 years. She is preceded in death by her father, Rudolph Cordova. Pat is survived by her mother, Bertha Cordova, and her two sisters Sue Pryor and Theresa Pavelich. Bertha was also a cancer survivor and Patricia's greatest mentor during her lifetime, especially her fight against cancer. She is survived by three children: Anna (Robert) Esquivel, Christina Savel, and John (Monica) Flores of Tucson. She is also is survived by her ten beautiful grandchildren: Briana, Araceli, Graciela, and Maximo (Esquivel), Vanessa, Cassandra, and Clarissa (Savel), and Marielena, Christian, and Celeste (Flores.) Patricia graduated from Salpointe Catholic High School in 1962. Three of her grandchildren attend Salpointe Catholic High School, and all of her own children are also alumni. Patricia received a double major in Special Education and Elementary Education and Masters Degree at the University of Arizona. She taught in TUSD for 30 years, and 21 of those years at Carrillo Magnet School as a Curriculum Specialist under the leadership of Ross Sheard and Henry Vega and the superior staff. Patricia was passionate about her faith. She was Youth Director at Holy Family Catholic Church for 10 years. Pat was part of the Pima County Interfaith Council for 12 years as one of its first leaders under organizer Frank Pierson. In 1997, she became a Lay Carmelite after her mother and held the position of AZ Coordinator for 4 years. Mom loved her vocation, and her AZ Lay Carmelites were her second family. The grandchildren will always have fond memories of Nana at the cabin in Greer: storytelling, fishing, nature walks, the secret Narnia room, telling stories around the campfire, and the Greer Butterfly Museum. Her children will always remember her scrumptious cooking, especially her posole on Christmas Eve, her strong faith, words of wisdom, and the importance of family. The family thanks the UMC Cancer Center staff, Heartland Hospice, TMC "Peppi's House" Hospice Center, Evergreen Mortuary, and her superior staff at Carrillo Magnet School. In lieu of flowers, our family has requested that donations be given to Casa Maria or the Community Food Bank in her name. The vigil service will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Friday, February 1, 2013, with a viewing from 4:30-6:30 P.M. A rosary will be at 6:30 P.M. followed by a scripture service at 7:00 P.M. A celebration of her life will be given at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 2, 2013, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1300 N. Greasewood Rd., 85745. Burial will follow at Holy Hope Cemetery. Arrangements by EVERGREEN MORTUARY & CEMETERY, N. Oracle & W. Miracle Mile.
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