Lucy Valenzuela Mihalik
August 20, 1927 – December 2, 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Lucy Valenzuela Mihalik, 97, on the 2nd of December 2024, with her devoted children by her side.
Lucy is survived by her children: Denise Heiss (Jac) of Patagonia, Cliff Mihalik (Karen) of Springdale, WA, John Mihalik (Cathy) of Healdsburg, CA), Ann McGuire (Michael) of Patagonia, Cathy Sotomayor (Fernando) of Nogales, and Stephen Mihalik (Polina) of Fairview, NC. She leaves behind 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Lucy was preceded in death by her parents, Virginia and Antonio Valenzuela, and all her nine sisters and brothers. She was also preceded in death by her husband Paul, her son, Paul Mihalik, Jr. and grandson, Jesse Mihalik.
Lucy was born on August 20, 1927 in Patagonia in the adobe home built by her parents. Sadly, her mother died when Lucy was only six years old, but she always praised her father, brothers and sisters for their love and support growing up.
Lucy was so proud of her pioneer family who gave so much to the Patagonia community and for her uncles’, brothers’ and sisters’ military service in WWI and WWII. While she endured the painful loss of her siblings over the years, she was always a source of comfort to all the extended family. She was the last of her great generation and a storyteller sustaining the Valenzuela family legacy.
After high school, she moved to Phoenix and after a tough start, landed a secretary job at Williams Field, Az.
She met Paul who was in pilot training and after a short romance, they married and began their life together. As a military spouse, she took care of their seven children during 21 years of Paul’s military service. She enjoyed the adventure as they traveled the world in the Air Force and later their religious pilgrimages to Europe.
Ultimately they came back to Arizona to be close to her father and she spent most of the remainder of her life in the house in Patagonia where she was born.
Lucy was smart and adventurous, funny and kind, humble and giving. Lucy dedicated herself to God, her husband Paul of 74 years of marriage, her children, family, friends and the St. Theresa’s Church community. Her boundless love and simple faith brought joy to others wherever she went and in whatever she did! Her light shone bright for all of us both at our happiest and most difficult moments; her unwavering and unconditional love lives on in our families.
The family wishes to thank the entire staff at the Prestige Assisted Living and Gentiva Hospice for their excellent care and affection for Lucy. We also want to thank her friends for their love and support during this difficult and sad time.
A funeral mass will be held at 10am on Saturday, Feb. 1 at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Patagonia, Az. A private burial will be held immediately following the mass.