Pauline Erlick
Pauline Erlick
Pauline Erlick, 89 years old, of Goodyear, Ariz., passed away on May 4, 2026.
Pauline was born on Nov. 19, 1936, to Bessie and Jim Martin in London, England. She was the daughter of a psychiatric nurse and auto mechanic (who served in the British army and helped liberate the Jews from the concentration death camps). Having been born right before WWII, this always shaped Pauline’s approach and outlook to life. She and her parents lived through the Germans bombing their home in London.
In 1962, while working in Belgium, Pauline met Preston Erlick, the man she would stay married to for her 57 years, until his passing in 2020. They were both on a work assignment at the time. He from the US and she from the UK. They wed that same year and then moved to the United States.
Pauline was passionate about travel, an interest she shared with her husband, Preston. This was important to them, and they did it for most of their lives. She lived many places around the world due to Preston’s work assignments. Her favorite place to live was two years in the outback of Australia.
Pauline had many passions in life. She loved writing and painting; she studied all religions and was fascinated about history. She was very well read and loved a good debate. And she was a lifetime animal advocate.
When people met Pauline, they would say that she was a strong, vibrant, and passionate lady who was full of life. Most people would say, “she’s always been one of my favorite people.” She had a rare and delightful personality and was as authentic as they come.
A couple of fun facts about Pauline is that her hair never went grey and she had modeled clothing, in Milan, Italy, in the 1950s.
Pauline and Preston had lived in the Arcadia area of Phoenix, since the early 1990s. After Preston’s passing, while visiting her daughter, Kathy, in PebbleCreek she fell in love with the community and moved five doors down. In PebbleCreek, Pauline enjoyed singing in the Ukulele Club, going to karaoke at Eagle’s Nest on Wednesday evenings, enjoyed eating on the Eagle’s Nest patio, and stayed physically fit by going to the gym and walking around the neighborhood.
Pauline is survived by daughter Kathy; sons Rob and James; stepson Lance; grandchildren David, Jason, Anna, and Sarah; and great–grandchildren, Brooke, Ashlyn, and Colton.
Rita Longley
Rita Longley
Rita Longley, beloved wife of Keith Longley, passed away on April 29, 2026, at the age of 91.
Born in Littleborough, Lancashire, in Northern England, Rita met Keith when they were both just 16, beginning a love story that would span a lifetime.
Together, they raised two daughters, Sharon and Debbie. In 1967, they moved to Hertfordshire, England, because of Keith’s new job in London, where they spent 11 happy years. Rita thrived there—becoming President of Ladies Circle and building a successful career in sales.
In 1978, Rita and Keith embarked on a new adventure, traveling across the pond to Westchester, N.Y., where over the next 18 years, they built an independent British import company supplying the clothing industry before retiring to Arizona.
An avid painter, quilter, and golfer, Rita was also a founding member, alongside Keith, of both the Ballroom Dance Club at PebbleCreek and the PebbleCreek Players, appearing in five productions and directing seven plays to great acclaim.
Above all, Rita had a gift for making everyone feel welcome, paired with a mischievous sense of humor that brought joy to those around her. Her granddaughter Hannah recalls how Rita would meet every visitor with a cup of tea and a conspiratorial smile, always ready with a story that left the room in stitches.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Keith; her two daughters, Sharon Longley Flint (Andrew Flint) and Debbie Longley Koopal (Steve Koopal); and six granddaughters: Dr. Kristen Longley Flint (Stefan Deutsch), Kathryn Flint Wald (Alex Germany-Wald), Kelly Flint Crisp (Collin Crisp), Hannah Koopal, Gemma Koopal, and Sarah Koopal, all of whom she loved dearly.
Rita’s life was a testament to love and family. Her legacy will live on in the family she created and cherished, and in the many lives she has touched.
Rita will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Her warmth, creativity, and spirit will live on in all who knew and loved her.
Richard (Rich) Mendick
Richard (Rich) Mendick
Richard (Rich) Mendick, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a life defined by love, service, and accomplishment.
Born Nov. 2, 1948, in New York City to Lorette Audette Mendick and Stanley Mendick, Rich moved with his family to California as an infant and was raised in the Los Angeles area. His life journey later took him to Denver, Colo.; Upstate New York; Fort Myers, Fla.; and Goodyear, Ariz., where he built lasting friendships.
Richard honorably served in the United States Marine Corps. He built a distinguished career in finance, beginning with Arthur Young & Co., CPA, and later with Times Mirror Corporation, where he worked for both the Los Angeles Times and the Denver Post.
Through dedication and integrity, he rose to serve as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for the international products company PIP. A Certified Management Accountant (CMA), he held degrees from Mount San Antonio College, Cal Poly Pomona, and the University of Denver.
He also served his community as an elected Albany County Legislator for three terms (12 years), reflecting his deep commitment to public service and civic responsibility.
Rich is survived by his beloved wife of 29 years, Nancy; his children, Paul (Kimberly) Mendick and Melissa (Erik) Mendick; and his stepchildren, Julie (Kirk) Karins, William (Carolyna) Karins, and Andrew (Jennifer) Karins, whom he warmly embraced as his own. He was a proud grandfather and great-grandfather, cherishing time spent with his family. He is also survived by his stepbrother, Roger (Matilda) Lambert, and dear, lifelong friends Harold and Caroline Cracraft. He was preceded in death by his stepsister, Francis Lambert.
Rich embraced life with energy and passion. He and Nancy spent 25 years teaching line dancing and DJing country dances. They were known as “Rockin Rich and Danci Nanci.” A lifelong musician, he learned the accordion as a child, played in a rock band, and later enjoyed playing his guitars. He was also a certified SCUBA diver. Rich and Nancy loved traveling to the Caribbean, Iceland, Mexico, the Amazon River, Europe, and the Mediterranean. Rich found great joy in playing pickleball with his friends in PebbleCreek in Goodyear.
He will be deeply missed by his family, dear friends, and all who knew him. His legacy of love, music, laughter, and service will live on in the many lives he touched.
Walter D. Piehl
Walter D. Piehl
Walter D. Piehl moved peacefully on to the larger life on April 11, 2026, with his wife by his side. Devoted son of Walter A. and Corinne (Heingardner) Piehl. Born on Jan. 15, 1933, in Chicago, Ill.
Beloved husband of Diane (Hoyt), fond brother of the late George (Elfriede) Piehl and sister, Roberta (Piehl) Tidemann; nephew Erik (Stephanie) Piehl; brother-in-law Bob (Christine) Hoyt; niece Christie (Neal) Friedant; Robert (Kathrine) Hoyt; Tim (Liz) Hoyt; great–nephews Zach Friedant, Harrison and Greyson Hoyt, Henry Piehl; great–nieces Halle Piehl, Ashley Friedant, Parker and Juliette Hoyt.
Wally joined the United States Coast Guard in the 1950s learning a useful trade working in the engine room. He spent four years active/four years inactive with most of his tour in Alaska aboard an ice breaker. Upon discharge he went to work for Illinois Auto Electric Company working on fuel injection systems for diesel power dealing with all the railroads in the United States. He traveled the eastern part of the county for many years calling on the railroads. He retired after 35 years of service in 1993.
As a child in Chicago close to Wrigley Field he had a neighbor as a groundskeeper who let the young boys play ball in the outfield. A favorite story!
He served on the church board in his Chicago church and upon retiring to Goodyear, Ariz., and joining The Church at Litchfield Park, served as deacon with a focus on memorial services along with between service coffee. He helped friends as needed with his handyman skills and supported his wife in her numerous singing adventures. In PebbleCreek he worked as a sound assistant for both PebbleCreek Singers and ShowTime Productions.
He and Diane, his friend and partner, were married for nearly 62 years and traveled the world learning and enjoying many wonderful places.