Arlys F. (Jackson) Gould-Ferris, 93 passed away on August 22, 2021 at her daughter’s home in Sun City, AZ. She was born December 7, 1927 in Elyria, Ohio to the late Ray A. and Fern A. (Sayles) Jackson. For fifty years she was married to Robert L. (Bob) Gould who predeceased her in 1996. She then married John M. Ferris in 1999 who passed away in February, 2021. She is survived by her four children, William R. (Vikki) Gould, Elizabeth (Tom) Senn, Barbara Hicks all of Sun City, AZ and Kevin R. Gould of Flagstaff, AZ. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Robert C. (Shelly) Gould, Jason M. Lawrence, Shenae H. Santistevan, Jennifer L. Daniels, Malia G. (Cory) Oliver and Nathan R. (Nikki) Gould, thirteen great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren. Many close nieces and nephews also survive.
Three stepsons, Mark (Lois) Ferris, Steven (Pam) Ferris and James Ferris and numerous step grandchildren and step great grandchildren also survive her. In addition to losing her husbands, Robert L. Gould and John M. Ferris, a grandchild, Aaron S. Gould passed away in 1987, a great grandchild, Aaron Fisher Gould in 2013, a brother, Laurence A. Jackson in 1999 and a sister, Doris L. (Jackson) Lee in 2003.
She and Bob Gould moved to Colorado Springs from Elyria, Ohio in 1952, and then in 1982 they started spending the winter months in Sun City AZ, becoming full time Sun City residents in 1992. John Ferris and she moved to Freedom Plaza Retirement Home in Peoria, AZ in 2005.
She was a lifelong Methodist, giving many volunteer hours and serving as a Steven minister. She was also a 50+ year loyal member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.
Arlys spent her final bedridden weeks in the loving care of her family at the home of daughter Barb in Sun City. Hospice of the West, Golden Heart Senior Care, and Reverend Al Kurz helped the family immensely. Her days were brightened with visits from nephews and nieces, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, virtually, and in person from as far away as Alaska. Much of her time was spent reminiscing with her family, aided by review of a lifetime of photographs and other memorabilia. The hundreds of cards , letters, texts, emails and phone calls received from across the nation during this time, are testament to the many lives this loving Christian lady impacted throughout her 93 years.
Visitation will be held Monday, August 30, 2021 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, at Sunland Memorial Park, 15826 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at 10:00 am. Following the service she will be laid to rest at the side of the love of her life, Robert L. Gould, in the Garden of Faith, Sunland Memorial Park.
For the convenience of her many friends at Freedom Plaza in Peoria AZ, where Arlys resided for the past 16 years, a Celebration of Life will be held at a date to be determined.
Memorials may be given to the Scholarship Fund of Freedom Plaza at 13373 N. Plaza Del Rio Blvd., Peoria, AZ 85381, or to Hospice of the West, 21410 N. 19th Avenue, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85027.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunlandmemorial.com for the Gould-Ferris family.
