
She loved her travels to Ireland and researching her Irish heritage. Mary found joy in bringing new life into the world as well as caring for critical patients coming through the ER doors.

She took great pride in being a nurse, and was especially known for being the person to call when you were in labor or needed medical advice. Mary touched the lives of many as a Wife, Mother, Sister, Labor and Delivery / ER nurse, Paramedic coordinator, Brownie leader, Eucharist minister, Friend and Confidant. She married Richard Rochford in May of 1959, and then went on to obtain her RN from Maricopa Tech and BSN from University of Phoenix all while raising her family. Joseph’s Hospital Nursing School in Phoenix, AZ and received her LPN. She attended many schools before graduating from Salpoint High School, Tucson, AZ in 1957 after which she attended St. Mary was born in Gallup, New Mexico on May 24, 1939, the daughter of Howard and Elizabeth. She is also survived by her twenty grandchildren, her sister, Carol Ann (Wayne) Simpkins and many nieces and nephews. Her legacy also leaves six children, Cecelia Sturgeon, Ann (Mark) Schrooten, Richard (Karen) Rochford, Joan (Vernon) Speshock, Maureen (James) Musselman and John (Julie) Rochford. She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Richard E. She went back to God from whence she came and we will all meet again, joyfully in heaven.


Of Phoenix, Arizona, passed from this life to the next on Octoafter a 3 year battle with brain cancer.
