Merlinda M. Valdez Dejardin

Merlinda M. Valdez Desjardin, 57, of Tempe died Aug. 11, 2007 at St. Luke's Hospital in Phoenix.

The memorial service will be at 5 p.m. Thursday at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel.

Ms. Desjardin was born Nov. 25,1949 in Casa Grande. She grew up in Casa Grande and graduated from Casa Grande Union High School in 1968. She was a secretary. She loved cooking, gardening and music.

Survivors include two daughters, Sandra Galaviz and Paula Skelly of Arizona City; three brothers, Rudy Valdez of Casa Grande, Frank Valdez of Phoenix and Pete Valdez of Stanfield; nine sisters, Delores Burgett of Questa, N.M., Patricia Valdez, Carmen Sunshine and Rosemary Billings, all of Casa Grande, Christina Feliz of Florence, Pauline Ramirez of Casa Grande, Olivia Johnson of Maricopa, Georgorgina Valdez of San Diego and Victoria Allen of Casa Grande; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Catherine Chico and Emilia Valdez.