Obituary of Jeanne P. Sweeney

Jeanne P. Sweeney, 91, of Tucson, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2014, surrounded by her family. She was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., on January 20, 1923, to Margaret and John Patrick Moroney. Jeanne married Leonard Sweeney on May 23, 1946; and they moved from Pittsburgh to Tucson in 1950 with two toddlers and an infant--and the family grew to 11 children. Her calling was motherhood! She was fun, feisty, energetic, happy, witty, and wise--and very Irish. Her positive attitude and inner strength never failed her--even after the death of her husband, Leonard, December 17, 1967, at age 49. Then, her love of children led her to work as a teacher in Head Start Program for several years, and later to demonstrate fire safety at local elementary schools for the Tucson Fire Department. She had wonderful longtime friends; and her lady friends, "The Club," met weekly for crafts and cards. Loss returned to her life with the deaths of her daughter, Peggy, in 2008; son, John, in 2011; and her companion, Frank Cadden, in 2009. A woman of strong faith, her daily rosary honored her devotion to the Blessed Mother, and her trust in God never faltered. In her final days she told her family, "Have a happy life and stay close to God." She is survived by daughter, Patricia Bezunartea (Mike Sweeney), Scottsdale; son, Leonard (Mary), Glendale; daughter, Mary Duncan (Alex), Tucson; daughter, Kathleen Sweeney, Los Angeles, CA; son, Tim (Deborah) Valencia, CA; daughter, Terry Powell (Stan), Las Vegas, NV; daughter, Erin Ruiz (Rene), Scottsdale; son, Dan (Tressy), Reno, NV; son, Chris, Thoreau, NM; as well as 32 grandchildren and 14 great- grandchildren, so far. She is also survived by her sister, Betty Champ, 94, Pittsburgh; Sweeney in-laws, Rosemary "Sis" Merriman, Maureen Derringer, Ed Sweeney (Lois), all of Pittsburgh; and Sister Redempta Sweeney, I.H.M., Bear, DE; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family. A Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 30, 2014, at the ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel, 8090 N. Northern Ave. at Magee. A Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 31, 2014, at Sacred Heart Church, 601 E. Ft. Lowell Rd., Tucson, AZ. Burial will follow at Holy Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, it was her request that donations be made in her memory to Casa de los Niños, 1101 N. 4th Ave., Tucson 85705.