Sharon Diane Avila

Mrs. Sharon Diane Avila, M.A. beloved Mother, Daughter, Sister and Wife; passed away Sunday January 21st, 2018 in the comfort of her home in Tempe surrounded by her loving family. Her faith in the Lord and God’s kindness and mercy allowed her to pass in her sleep quietly and peacefully. A tall, beautiful, brunette all her life; she succumbed quickly to inoperable brain cancer after a 115 day, valiant, courageous effort to recover from the disease. She is survived by her Son Robert Anthony, Daughter Stephanie Diane, Mother Alice Hernandez, Mother in Law Elza Avila, Brothers Richard (Helen) and Peter (Adeline), Sisters Deborah (Steve), Linda, In Laws Laura and David Avila and Husband of 37 years Robert J. (Bobby) Avila. She will be missed by her numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, neighbors and professional colleagues.

A lifelong educator of 35 years in the Roosevelt School District she was a vivacious, entertaining, and humorous story teller. She taught hundreds of primary age school children how to read, enjoy literature, and be good citizens. She was born in Los Angeles, California in 1956 and moved to Arizona in 1960. She graduated from Phoenix College (1975), ASU (1980) and NAU (1997). Her knack for making any occasion a special celebration with creative, colorful decorating and tantalizing confections will be missed by all.

Memorial Service: Friday February 9th, 2018; 7 PM at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 16223 S. 48th St. Phoenix, AZ 85048. Funeral Mass: Saturday 10 AM February 10th, 2018 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 16223 S. 48th St. Phoenix, AZ 85048. Burial of Cremains: Saturday February 10th, 2018 Greenwood Memorial Lawn 2300 W Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85009 immediately after Mass. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Sharon Avila’s Honor to the American Brain Tumor Association.