Patricia Anne Barton
Patricia Anne Barton, age 72, left this life and went to be with her Lord and Savior at 11:51 a.m. on October 14 in her home in PebbleCreek in Goodyear, Arizona. She passed away after a six year battle with lung cancer. Her husband of 32 years and her brother were with her when she passed. She is survived by her loving husband John, her brother Paul, her son Chad and seven stepdaughters: Mindy, Jayne, Polly, Pam, Lynda, Priscilla and Janice.
Tricia was born on May 8, 1942, in Epping, England, during the London blitz of WWII. After the war her family relocated to Tanzania, East Africa, where she spent 18 exciting years, many of them at boarding school in the wilds of the Serengeti. She came to the U.S. as a nanny for a family in Riverside, California. After her stint as a nanny she went to work for Columbia Records in Hollywood. While working at Columbia she met several performers, one of whom was Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders who wrote a song Trishalana in her honor. Later she went to work for Continental Airlines as a pilot scheduler. In 1970 she and her son Chad relocated to Denver where she met her second husband John. In 1994 they moved to PebbleCreek; the 115th residents. Tricia was one of the first members of the PebbleCreek Ladies Golf Association. Tricia was active in many PebbleCreek activities including PebbleCreek Singers, Showtime Productions, Pebbleaires, golf, tennis, ping-pong, bocce ball, Wii bowling and anything else that was going on. In 1998, at the Showtime Productions Oscar night, she was awarded the Golden Pebble and an Oscar as The Spirit of PebbleCreek. One of her favorite pastimes was traveling which included cruising for a total of 18 cruises.
A celebration of Life was held at the Church at Litchfield Park on November 1, 2014.
Donations can be made to Sun Valley Animal Shelter, 7150 N. 110th Avenue in Glendale or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah (bestfriends.org).
Shawn Biehler
Shawn Biehler, 50, passed away October 26, 2014, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was a beloved son, brother and friend. He will be dearly missed by all. He had passion for cars and racing. He graduated from Sylvania Technical School with an Associate’s degree. Shawn worked for Raytheon and other military defense contractors before going into business on his own. Shawn had a talent for helping. He could fix anything anywhere without manuals or even the necessary tools and parts on hand.
He is survived by his parents, Elaine Biehler of PebbleCreek Community, Goodyear, Arizona, and Shawn and Andrea Biehler of Riverside, California, Bonnie and Bosco D’Mello, his sister and brother-in-law, nephews Josh, Craig and Danny and stepbrothers, Mike, Mark and Matthew.
For those who wish, donations in Shawn’s name can be made to Kare Bears of PebbleCreek at 15383 W. Cheery Lynn Court, Goodyear, Arizona 85395. Our gratitude goes out to all those who supported Shawn and his family during this time of need. A celebration of his life is being planned for the spring.
Gloria O’Donnell
Gloria Bette Jane Dunham O’Donnell, on October 31, 2014, died at the age of 89 surrounded by family at her home in Chesapeake, Virginia. She was the beloved wife of the late Richard W. O’Donnell and is survived by her loving children Richard D. O’Donnell (Estelane), Glynn S. O’Donnell Loeb (James), Roderick K. O’Donnell, Salli L. O’Donnell (Michael), Bobbi L. O’Donnell (Kent), brother-in-law Robert T. O’Donnell, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. A private memorial service will be held during the summer of 2015. Should friends desire, contributions in her memory can be made to the Southwest Lending Closet, of which she was a co-founder, at www.southwestlendingcloset.org.
Vincent Vinci
Vincent Vinci, 84, of Goodyear, Arizona, died October 16, 2014. Mr. Vinci was born May 28, 1930, in Malden, Massachusetts, to Vincent Vinci and Lavinia Parisi and was raised in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York, and in Caltanissetta, Italy.
He was a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, New York in June of 1949 of which he was a New York State Championship pole vaulter and track and field sprinter.
He attended Seton Hall University in New Jersey with a full athletic scholarship, graduating in 1953 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. During this time he was a member of the Pioneer Track Club in New York.
He was drafted in August 1953 and did basic training in Camp Gordon, Georgia. After basic training he went to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, as a student in the Signal School and received the National Defense Service Medal. Upon graduation he was elevated to instructor in the same school.
He went on to a successful career as a public relations executive in the aeronautical and defense industries, including tenure with Lockheed Electronics and Rockwell International.
Additionally, he was a night school instructor teaching voice and diction at Seton Hall University. He was an accomplished writer with published articles in business and management and on food, travel and golf. He also authored several books including a novel and poetry for children.
He was a member of Toastmasters International and member of Knights of Columbus. He also enjoyed playing golf and loved traveling, particularly to Italy, and was a great cook and a wonderful storyteller. He is survived by his wife Elaine Vinci; daughters Susan Vinci-Lucero, Patricia Vinci-Moore; sons Mark Vinci and Vincent Vinci; Brothers John Vinci, Dick Vinci and two grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Vincent and Lavinia.
A mass was held October 20, 2014, at St. Frances Xavier Church. Condolences can be sent to www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com.