Jean Frances Hufford

Our mother, grandmother, aunt to many and friend to all, Jean Frances Hufford left this world on Christmas Day at the age of 91. She spent one last holiday season surrounded by her family, who have so graciously cared for her the past few years.

Jean was a “people person”. She was most content when taking care of others. She and her husband Howard made everyone feel like family in their home, and nobody left without their own special memories of the Huffords. She loved to have company, so she could show off what a fabulous cook she was and would do her best to bake each person’s favorite anything, especially at the holidays.

She was born on July 23, 1931 in Leona, Pennsylvania to James Rittner and Florence Augusta Vater Duffield. She married Howard Robert Hufford on July 17, 1954. They lived in upstate New York where their family grew to include five children and they grew to hate the bitter cold weather. As a result, in 1962, they packed that young family into an old Chevy sedan that had the back seat removed and replaced with a full sized bed mattress to accommodate the five small children on an epic cross-country adventure. They headed southwest to Arizona, to escape the frigid New York winters, first settling in Phoenix and eventually making their way to Tucson, where they would raise their family.

Along with being a wonderful homemaker, she always worked a full time job outside the home, not only out of necessity, but to fulfill her desire of constantly making new friends and being around people. She enjoyed baking special recipes for all of her family and frequently for her coworkers.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister Ann (Charles) Lagerbom, brother James (Judy) Duffield, and her oldest son Rick Hufford. She is survived by her children, Dawn (Robert) Esparza, Denise (Fred) Sanchez, Mark (Tammy) Hufford and Brenda (Raul) Sanchez, 12 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, who loved her very much. Dawn and Robert in particular, displayed their hospitality by welcoming Jean into their home and caring for her since 2016, while letting her maintain as much independence as possible, with support from all of Jean’s children and their spouses.

Jean’s final arrangements were planned by her many years ago, she is to be cremated with no services, through Desert Rose Heather Mortuary. In remembrance of Jean, please do what she loved best – spend time with your loved ones! In lieu of flowers, please donate to American Cancer Society, Hospice, or a charity of your choice in her honor.