Barbara “Lee” Lanan
Barbara “Lee” Lanan passed away on Feb. 28, 2023, in her home in Gilbert, Ariz. Lee had lived in PebbleCreek for 16 years before moving to Gilbert to be closer to her daughter. Lee was born in Norristown, Pa. She went to college and became a physical education teacher. After marrying the love of her life, Ken, they set out on a beautiful adventurous life in the U.S. Air Force. After traveling the world with the Air Force, they settled in southern California. Lee taught Special Education students as well as coached girls’ high school softball and tennis. They then moved to PebbleCreek in 2004.
Lee was a sports fanatic. She played doubles tennis until her knees gave out and then she shifted to competitive golf. She played on the Lady Niners at PebbleCreek until her health would not let her play anymore. Through it all, her love of sports never wavered.
Lee and Ken had two girls, Renee and Colleen. Those two girls gave them eight grandchildren, Jennifer, Michael, Shannon, Joseph, Cassandra, Emily, Austin, and Makayla. She was also blessed with five great-grandchildren! Madalyn, Reagan, Harvey, Novah, and Harrison (her Munchkins).
Lee was always smiling and happy. Lee leaves this world a better place for having lived in it. She leaves a legacy of passion; for life, her world of friends, beloved family, and most of all, her Lord Jesus Christ. She loved the Lord, her family, and her country. She will forever be in our hearts.
Bernard Ho
It is with great sadness that we announce that our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Bernard Ho, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on March 30, 2023, at the age of 72 in Goodyear, Ariz. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 45 years, Diana, his daughter Amy, and son Colin. Bernard was fortunate to welcome his newborn grandson, Orion, into the world the day before his passing.
Bernard was born Oct. 20, 1950. He received his BS in Optical Engineering in China and completed his MS in Materials Science at the University of Southern California. He pursued a long career in Semiconductor Engineering at National Semiconductor, Motorola, Freescale, and Cree. He resided in Arizona for over 26 years from 1993-1998 and from 2002 until his passing. He and Diana joined the PebbleCreek community in 2021 and Bernard thoroughly enjoyed the good life there and considered it his slice of heaven.
In addition to his lifelong love of music, Bernard enjoyed sailing on cruises around the world, staying on top of the stock market, and keeping active through tai chi, swimming, golfing, and biking. His passion for engineering spanned far beyond his career; after he retired he enjoyed volunteering at STEM workshops for local students at the Arizona Science Lab and inspiring the next generation of future engineers. While Bernard left us far too soon, his impact in our hearts and lives will be felt for years to come.
Bernard was a pragmatic, tenacious, and playful man who loved life. Per his wishes, no funeral services will be held. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to support the Arizona Science Lab, a non-profit organization near and dear to Bernard’s heart.
Elizabeth “Beth” Kay (Bowers) Hadden
Our beloved Wife, Mother, Sister, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother, Elizabeth “Beth” Kay (Bowers) Hadden, passed away on March 30, 2023, at the young age of 83, in Mesa, Ariz., after a long battle with Raynaud’s Syndrome and Scleroderma.
Elizabeth was born on April 20, 1939, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late James and Arlene Bowers. She was the middle of three siblings, older sister Constance, and younger brother James, who always called her ‘Bethy.’
Beth married Ray Hadden on Oct. 24, 1959, and from that moment on, her feet never touched the ground. Beth and Ray went on to eventually move 28 times, encompassing a good part of the United States, as well as West Africa, Aruba, Holland, and Saudi Arabia. They explored more countries than we have room to list. During all those moves, Beth lovingly raised three girls, Christine, Kimberley, and Jeanine. She never made it to college, but she always read whatever she could get her hands on and studied up on each destination by reading and pouring over the history and culture of each place, making sure that the girls saw and absorbed the full experience. By self-education, she probably knew more about history and the world than most professors. Beth was consumed by wanderlust and lived her dream.
Beth was just an amazing woman. Aside from all the moving and travels, her career as a wife and mother was not all she accomplished. Beth’s first job was as a Doctor’s Assistant and from there, she went on to perform a myriad of jobs. She was at times a Secretary, a Saleswoman, and worked for the Campus Crusade for Christ. However, her crowning achievement was when she went to work and became a Missionary, for the ‘Jesus Film Project’ in the capacity of Photo Librarian.
Beth and Ray eventually retired and moved to PebbleCreek in Goodyear, Ariz., where they found a place that truly became their home. Beth involved herself with Bible Study, Kare Bears, dancing, singing, and acting. Everybody that met her loved her, and all her friends were really family.
Elizabeth was many things, as well as incredibly courageous, brave, beautiful, and giving. And she was our Wife and Mother!
Elizabeth is survived by her ever-loving husband Ray; her three girls, Christine of Arizona, Kimberley (Britt) of Washington, and Jeanine (Philip) of Texas; three grandchildren, Scott (Mindy), Nicole (Sydni), and Sean; three great-grandchildren, Braxton, Emma, and Rowan; sister Constance of Arizona; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, her brother, James Bowers, preceded her in death.
Please join Beth’s family on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., for a Celebration of Life at PebbleCreek Community Church, Eagle’s Nest Ballroom, 3645 Clubhouse Drive, Goodyear, AZ 85395.
www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/11230400
Mary Katherine Anderson
Mary Katherine Anderson was born in Waco, Texas, on Oct. 27, 1944. She graduated from Waco High in 1962 and married Millard Anderson in Waco on Aug. 22, 1964.
She graduated from SMU with a degree in Elementary Education in May 1966.
She was a mother of four children, a military wife, a law enforcement wife, and a parochial school teacher.
In retirement, when they weren’t spending time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she and Millard traveled across the country and around the world having many adventures—an African safari, white water rafting, snowmobiling, hot air ballooning, jet skiing, snorkeling, and exploring ancient ruins in Mexico, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Israel and Jordan. And they spent three unforgettable years on the glorious Sonoma Coast. Over a span of 40 years, her constant companions were her beloved dachshunds.
Mary Katherine and Millard moved to PebbleCreek in 2015. She enjoyed the great weather, sitting by the pool, playing bridge, mah jongg, and bocce ball. She continued her life of service to the Church, volunteering many hours each week at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and serving on the Parish Council.
She passed away peacefully and gracefully on Jan. 30, 2023. A Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Waco on March 25 and her ashes were laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery next to her parents and grandparents.
She is survived by her husband; her children Margaret (Dave), Kathy (John), Carol, and Millard (Jennifer); her grandchildren Charlie, Bubba, Emmy, Hannah (Joe), Bo, Buzz, Camille, Melanie, and Molly; her great-grandchildren Price, Preston, Blake, and Baker; and numerous other family members and friends who mourn her and miss her irreplaceable presence in their lives. Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Richard (Rick) Carlson
Richard (Rick) Carlson passed away peacefully on March 3, 2023. Rick was born in Montclair, N.J., to Carl “Allen” and Betty Carlson. Rick had two children (Patrick and Kelly) with former spouse Terry and became a stepfather to two children with wife Susan (Tara and Bryan). Rick was a loving son, brother, father, stepfather, grandfather of eight, uncle, son-in-law, and brother-in-law. Rick attended Scottsdale Navajo Elementary, Scottsdale High School, and Arizona State University. As a young boy, Rick grew up in Verona, N.J. He and his family came to Arizona around 1960.
Rick started a long banking career at the Valley National Bank of Arizona in 1969 and held various managerial positions. Rick ended his banking career in 1998 at Bank One as a Senior Vice President and Executive Director and retired after 29 years in banking. After, he owned/operated a decorative glass business (closed during the economic downturn) and then worked at the Earnhardt Honda dealership in Avondale. He made many friends during his work career and appreciated every one of them.
Rick is survived by his wife of 35 years, Susan; children Patrick, Kelly, Tara, and Bryan; and grandchildren Samantha, Phoenix, Ava, Vincent, Vivian, Lilly, Natalie, and Hayden. He was preceded in death by his parents Allen and Betty, brothers Dave and Jeff, and sisters Debbie and Cynthia. Other close Carlson/Shepard relatives include Grandmother Wilma Shepard, Uncle Ken Shepard, Aunt Edith (Carlson) Schmied and Uncle Orville Schmied, Uncle Arthur Carlson and Aunt Ginnie Carlson, Aunt Louise (Carlson) Pearson and Uncle Paul Pearson, and other family members.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the American Lung Association or Faith Hospice of Arizona.
Richard Weddle
Richard Weddle of Goodyear, Ariz., 75, passed away on March 8, 2023, of heart failure. He will be greatly missed. Richard was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and lived in 12 different states before retiring to Arizona. He was a resident of PebbleCreek since 2015. He loved living in Arizona every day. He was an avid fitness enthusiast. He was always willing to coach and encourage others to set up a fitness plan.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Maura, and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a future date.