NOVEMBER 7, 2012
Obituaries
Tara Beth Brecher
Tara Beth Brecher, 51, of Cave Creek passed away Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012 from complications of a life long battle with systemic lupus erythematosus. Tara was a much loved daughter, sister,
friend and favorite aunt.
Born in Peoria, Ill., she lived in a number of places at a very early age since her father was in the Air Force. She started school at the age of three at Deben Bank School in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England where she learned a proper British accent and how to knit. Upon returning to the USA, she skipped the first grade and continued on to graduate from Cave Creek Grade School and Paradise Valley High School. During high school she was the lead female vocalist in many musical productions, a soloist and member of concert choir and received honors at All State all four years. A full music scholarship to Northern Arizona State University enticed her to Flagstaff where she studied music for two years before leaving and touring nationwide with a professional Christian music show called “Eternity.” After a year of traveling, she entered college at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma to complete her music education.
But the Big Apple called and off she went to New York City to audition for professional shows. It was during this period in her life she was first diagnosed with lupus. Illness brought her back to Arizona for the remainder of her life. She continued to perform in the greater Phoenix Valley and was also a nanny.
Tara was preceded in death by her brother, James Gregory Brecher and is survived by her father, Lt. Col. James Dale Brecher of Las Vegas, Nevada, her mother, Martha M. Arnold of Cave Creek, her sister, Alisa Oujiri, sister-in-law Becky Brecher, step-sister Sue Arnold, nieces Ghislaine Gilbert and Calle Brecher, nephews James Matthew Brecher and Benjamin Brecher.
Her will and determination to live life on her terms and to the fullest is an inspiration. No matter the challenges created by her health, she always kept her sense of humor and compassion for others. No one will be able to replace her unique sense of style, chic and sophistication. We will miss her.
Tara and her family are so very grateful for the compassionate care provided to her over the many years of her illness by all the many healthcare professionals. Thank you for helping her to remain with us for so long.
A celebration of Tara’s life was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 at Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary in Scottsdale, followed by a reception. For those who wish, the family requests donations be made to Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation, 10001 N. 92nd Street, Suite 121, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 or Barrows Neurological Institute, 350 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013.
The members of Tara Beth Brecher’s family thank all for their support and words of condolences through the years of her illness and death.
~ Martha Arnold and Alisa Oujiri
Patricia Schlottmann
Pat passed away peacefully Oct. 8, 2012 in her home in Carefree, Ariz. at the age of 77, while surrounded by her family and friends after suffering a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Pat was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She is survived by her loving husband, Herman; daughters, Leslie K. Joyce, Karin Schlottmann-Castillo, Stacey A. Lemiesz, Natalie C. McWhorter, Whitney D. Joyce and Susanne P. Schlottmann. Grandchildren; Claudia Castillo and Ryan McWhorter. In addition to her brother, Charles R. Harris, and sister, Nancy L. Harris, Pat leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Pat was born in Detroit, Michigan May 7, 1935 to Carl Harris and Helen Harris (McCauley). She attended Mackenzie High School (Class of 1953). Pat spent many of her early years in Farmington, Farmington Hills and Pinckney Michigan.
She moved to Arizona in 1987 where she and her husband ran an electrical engineering firm (Control Logic, Inc.) until her retirement in 2000.
In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to the Lewy Body Dementia Association/Society, Alzheimer’s Association /Society, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or Hospice of Arizona.
