Dorothy (Darcy) Anderson

Darcy died at Chandler Hospital on December 17. She was 90 years of age and died of a combination of infection and heart disease.

Darcy will be remembered as sort of the Hello Dolly of Sun Lakes; a party giver and partygoer right up to the end.

She grew up in Yonkers, New York and owned a store that sold designer piece goods that came straight from the designer lofts in New York City. The store would sell last season’s fabrics by the yard or they had a designer that would make you a dress or suit; and eventually they had people showing the customer how to sew so they could make their own suit.

She married a second time to Frank Anderson and they moved to California where she became a fashion coordinator for J.C. Penny Co. There she promoted perfume with Zsa Zsa Gabor who sent her a dog just like Zsa Zsa’s dog. Darcy designed and sold necklaces here in Sun Lakes. She was known as a “beader.” The pieces were one of a kind and she had a large following of customers here.

Frank died in 2002 here in Sun Lakes and Darcy’s daughter, Suzanne, is retired in Ocatie, South Carolina.

Michael Gregory Dickens

Michael Gregory Dickens (65), fortified with the sacraments of the Catholic church, began his new life of everlasting joy and peace on December 26, 2014.

Michael is survived by his wife, Monica, his much loved children, Tony (Katrina) Dickens and Amanda (Rob) Pittman, sister, Gina (Dick) Gerkin, brother, Thom Longenecker, his sisters-in-law, Doris (Dick) Young, Helen (Bill) Gansler, Marian (Larry) Mitchell and Elaine (Rafael)Take. He has 16 nieces and nephews, 28 great-nieces and nephews, one great-great nephew and many friends.

His extended family included the schools: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Glendale, Arizona, Brevig Mission and Unalakleet School (Bering Strait School District), Alaska, Ketchikan School District and Skagway City School.

Parishes: St. Steven’s, Sun Lakes, Arizona and St. Therese’s Skagway, Alaska.

Michael was a teacher, principal, superintendent, Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus at St. Steven’s Parish and friend to many. Michael earned his doctorate in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University.

Michael was very proud of his children, Tony and Amanda. As a family, they traveled to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, Europe and Africa. He spent hours listening to his nieces and nephews and shared many an amusement park adventure with them. Michael enjoyed being with the students in the classes he taught and administering to the staff. He was kind, funny, wore crazy ties, and in his pant pocket one could hear his Tic Tacs jingling. Michael always began school days with a warm greeting for the day “Happy Monday.” To know Michael was to know kindness, the joy of living and a man who loved to travel and share a tasty meal. He was a wonderful listener. Michael loved music especially operas and passed from this life to the next listening to the music he enjoyed. We are all better people to have shared a part of his life story.

In celebration of his life, a memorial mass will be held at St. Steven’s Catholic Church, Sun Lakes, Arizona (TBA) and in St. Louis, Missouri. Michael was an Arizona Organ and Science Care donor. Private interment will be in St. Louis, Missouri.

Contributions to Notre Dame Mission Crusade (Honduras), 320 E. Ripa Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63125 or St. Steven’s Knights of Columbus in Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248. Quayanna, merci, gracias, thank you.

Marie A. Doetsch

Marie A. Doetsch passed away on October 30, 2014. She was born on May 24, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois. She was the loving wife of 37-1/2 years to her devoted husband, Ronald.

Services were held in St. Charles, Illinois on November 22, 2014.

Marie worked in the Benefits Department at AT&T for 33 years in Chicago.

After living in Downers Grove, Illinois for 20 years, Ron and Marie retired. They have been living in Sun Lakes for the last 15 years.

Marie enjoyed playing Bunco, traveling and reading mystery stories.

She will be missed by everyone who knew her.

John (Jack) Austin Noel, Sr.

John (Jack) Austin Noel, Sr., 87, of Sun Lakes, Arizona went to be with the Lord on December 12, 2014 surrounded by his loving family.

Jack served in the US Navy in WW II, graduated from Denver University, and retired from Motorola as a Mechanical Engineer.

He is survived by his wife Florine, his son John and grandson Jacob and the rest of his entire loving family.

Services were held on December 30, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Chandler Christian Church, 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler, Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to the American Diabetes Association in Jack’s honor.

Robert Price

In loving memory of my father, Robert Price, who was a resident of Sun Lakes, AZ. He served in the Air Force and was Fireman Capt. for Ventura County, CA for many years. God took my father home on this past Christmas Day (12-25-2014). My father was a very caring and wonderful man. He is my “hero” for always! God bless you dad. I love you deeply and I am so glad you’re not suffering with ALS any longer. Dance with your Angels dad!

Love always, your daughter, Sherri Price Walker

Marc Ross

Marc Ross passed away peacefully at age 81 on January 8. He will be remembered for his gentle nature, his strength of character, his love and dedication to his friends and family and his never ending desire to teach and share his passion for history. Marc had the ability to make each person he met feel as if they were the only one in the room. Marc believed that every person had a story to tell and he asked the right questions to get people to open up and share their history.

He was raised in New Haven, Connecticut and served with the Army in Korea. He graduated from Columbia College in 1954, received his Master’s degree from Harvard in 1959 and was awarded his Ph.D. from New York University in 1969. Afterwards, he moved to New York to raise his family. Marc taught at Great Neck South High School for 36 years and was chairperson of the Social Studies Department for 19 of those years. He was an adjunct professor at NYU School of Continuing Education.

He moved with the love of his life, his wife Lee, to Sun Lakes, Arizona in 1998. In retirement he continued to teach in a lifelong learning program in Chandler and in the summers taught at the Utah State Adult Learning Program.

Marc is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lee, children Stephanie Ross (Kevin) and Carla Sutter (Scott), granddaughter Sydney Rose and step-grandchildren Kaylie and Sam. Marc loved his grand-dogs Abby, Harley and Bailey who brought him much joy and companionship.

Always the teacher, he donated his body to the University of Arizona Medical School.

“For all thy getting, get understanding.”

Don Witcraft

Don Witcraft – August 2, 1918-December 24, 2014

As his family and friends well know, Don always wanted to go to go to golf heaven. Golf and Oklahoma football was his passion so he got his wish.

Don was a kind, generous and loving husband to his wife, Ruby Regina, of 41 years. My dearest, we will hold hands in heaven, someday. He is also survived by his son Mike, daughter Donna and grandchildren Bobby and Sara.

Per his wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial services.