FLORENCE — Marcellina Mary Joaquin, 80, a member of the Tohono O'odham Nation, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on March 4, 2012.
Mrs. Joaquin was born in Florence on Sept. 29, 1931, to Steven and Angelita Williams. After graduating from Florence Union High School in 1950, she married Angelo Joaquin. She lived a few years in Ajo, Phoenix and Los Angeles and the rest of her life in Florence.
She loved dancing, playing with children and attending sports events involving family members. She accompanied the Joaquin Brothers as the waila band performed throughout Arizona and the nation, including at Carnegie Hall in 1992. She also served as the first lady of the Tohono O'odham Nation in the 1980s. She was a member of the Cursillo Movement.
She is survived by three sons, Angelo Jr., Ronald and Patrick; eight daughters, Dorothy Talayumptewa, Bernadette McCreery, Mary Lou Listo, Rose Marie, Veronica, Bertilla, Esther and Angelina; a sister, Agnes Williams; 38 grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; a daughter, Marcella; and a sister, Stella Morton.
Services will take place at Florence Village, one mile west of Florence on Adamsville Road. An all-night wake will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, with burial in Florence Cemetery after a morning service beginning at 5 a.m. on Friday.
J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud Coolidge Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
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