OBITUARIES

BY ALLISON BROWN

Triad Performing Arts of Arizona is hosting auditions on various dates in August for the West Valley’s first live production of the classic “Nutcracker” ballet with a twist, with all ages and skill levels welcome.

Kat Honsberger, founder of Triad Performing Arts and owner of Kat’s Artist Tree, said that while everyone loves the ballet in the “Nutcracker,” she wanted to produce something that everyone could be a part of.

“I really wanted to bring classical ballet together with singing and acting. I wanted to do something for everybody,” she said. “So, it has a little twist, because our Nutcracker Fantasy includes the main, classical part of the ballet that the Nutcracker does and that everyone is familiar with, but we have some surprises. We have some singers that will be a part of the show, and musicians and actors.”

Honsberger said she wanted to add more roles to the classic “Nutcracker” to spread joy during the holiday season. She created Triad Performing Arts of Arizona in 2020 after seeing kids become depressed about the lack of live interactions due to COVID-19. The organization produced a virtual rendition last December, and Honsberger said it gave kids and parents the excitement, happiness and motivation that they had been missing.

Karen Jaquez said her 8-year-old daughter Aaliyah was a dancer in last year’s production and that it was something to look forward to and boost spirits during the holidays.

“Bringing the singing and acting together and seeing all the kids come together and do that, I think it just really motivated the kids to work toward something again, even during all this COVID craziness, to be able to have that performance again,” Jaquez said. “Even though they didn’t have a live audience, they were able to record it and they were just as excited for it as if it was a performance.”

She also said Aaliyah has been performing in “The Nutcracker” yearly since she was 3 years old, and before Triad Performing Arts opened, they drove to North Phoenix to be involved, because there wasn’t a production in the West Valley. Honsberger saw this issue and wanted to make sure kids had an equal opportunity to be involved in high-quality performing arts, regardless of where they lived or their socioeconomic status.

“From our research, this is the very first nonprofit organization (in the West Valley) that includes music, dance and art,” she said. “I know lots of families, in order for them to see a classic ballet production, they have to travel all the way to Phoenix, so we really wanted to do something for the community and create a high level of performance here in the Valley and also to provide for children. So, they don’t have to drive to Downtown Phoenix, but they can have something right here in their own neighborhood. That was really important for us.”

While Triad Performing Arts prides itself on being a high-quality program, Honsberger said everyone is welcome, and anyone who auditions will have some kind of role. Last year’s production had a cast of 55 actors, singers and dancers, and if they have 100 this year, then “we will make all of them a special part of this incredible production,” Honsberger said.

To host such a large cast as a nonprofit, Honsberger said the organization relies heavily on donations and sponsors. Even if a monetary donation cannot be made, she said they always welcome production assistants.

Weekly rehearsals start in September, with more frequent rehearsals closer to the event. The show dates have not been finalized but will be sometime in mid-December. Parents are required to attend an informational meeting Saturday, Aug. 28, to go over time commitments and show dates and answer any questions parents may have.

Auditions will be held on various dates at Kat’s Artist Tree, located at 13770 W. Van Buren Street, Goodyear. For more information, visit triadaz.org or email info@triadaz.org. Singers and Actors: 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays Aug. 19 and Aug. 26 (Dress Code: Dress your best, neat and clean with proper close toed shoes).

ence: Group auditions 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., selected students from group 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. Fridays Aug. 20 and Aug. 27 (Dress Code: black leotard and skirt, pink tights, ballet/ pointe shoes). Dancers 4 to 9 years old: 12 to 12:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 (Dress Code: leotard and skirt, tights and ballet shoes). Required Parent Meeting: 12 to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28.

Teens and young adults are invited to the Avondale Youth Advisory Commission’s open house on Monday, Aug. 30.

Through the commission, teens and young adults grow their leadership skills in civic engagement, get involved in community service, and have their voice heard.

Prospective members can ask questions and learn more about what AYAC members do for the community. The event is open to Avondale residents ages 13 to 20 who have an interest in joining. The group meets the second and fourth Monday of each month from September to May.

The open house will take place at the AZ Complete Health Avondale Resource Center (995 E. Riley Drive, Avondale). Email Erin at efurnish@avondaleaz.gov to learn more and reserve a spot.

Mr. Robert “Buh” Stephens, 84, of Litchfield Park, Arizona died August 4, 2021 in Litchfield Park, Arizona. He was born April 27, 1937 in Tucson, Arizona to Alonzo and Maurine Stephens. A Service will be held at the Church of Later Day Saints (19322 W Indian School Rd. Litchfield Park, AZ 85340) on Friday, August 20, 2021 at 7pm. You can view the full obituary at https://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/ obituary/robert-buh-stephens/

DorisJeanGiocomo,87,ofGoodyear, Arizona, passed away peacefully at home,August6,2021followinganextendedillness.DoriswasbornSeptember22,1933inChicago,Illinoisto GladysandMiltonCleek.WhenDoris wassixteen,shemettheloveofherlife, FrankGiocomo,atthedimestorewheretheyboth worked.TheymarriedDecember1,1950.Theyraised theirthreechildreninChicagountil1967,whenFrank wastransferredbyHoneywelltoDenver,Colorado. TheymovedtoPebbleCreekinGoodyearin1996toenjoytheirretirement.

Dorislovedspendingtimewithherfamily,crocheting, sewing,goingtoaDiamondbacksgame,cruises,and playingcardswithherfriends.

Dorisissurvivedbyherlovinghusbandof70years, Frank;daughterDonna,sonsBob(Carol),Dave(Beth), fivegrandchildren,andfour(soontobesix)great-grandchildren.Shewillbemissed.Noservicesareplannedat thistime.

Deadline for obituaries is Thursday at 5pm for Wednesday. All obituaries will be approved by our staff prior to being activated. Be aware there may be early deadlines around holidays.

Sybille Astrid Swords

April 13, 1950 – July 28, 2021 Born Sybille Astrid Morgan, Sybille came into this world in the small, wooded hamlet of Hasselhorst just outside of Celle, in Western Germany. Her proud parents were Mr. Bruno Morgan and Mrs. Eliade Morgan (Schulz). She was to be their only, but precious daughter. At the age of two, she migrated to a small farm situated between two gently rolling hills just west of Sebastapol, California. Where unlike most children who only read and/or dreamt of animals, every day she lived, played and even talked with them, naming each of them, even the bull (the beginning of a love of all animals, large and small to her final breath). Such was her carefree life until the move to The City, San Francisco; actually, Daly City. There she grew up a typical teenager, like shopping at Stonestown Shopping Center (barefoot) with her friends. But, as everything in life passes quickly, all to soon Sybille was marching to the podium at Westmore High School in 1968 to receive her diploma with bright dreams and the knowledge that in just a few short months she would be attending the University of California, Davis - the beginning of a whole new life and adventure. It was during her second quarter of her freshman year at Davis she was paired to share a textbook with her eventual partner in life and husband. He was a Junior at the time, in ROTC and a Maverick Bandsman. At games, she’d sit up in the bleachers with the band, turning his sheet music to not miss a single note. College life was challenging and fun as her husband to be and she were totally inseparable. In the start of her junior year, she moved into an off-campus apartment with three other roommates. Then, that January, Sybille’s husband to be received orders for active duty and Vietnam. Within weeks he presented her with his gold bars (a symbol to share his station in life with) and asked her to marry him which she enthusiastically accepted. That magic day of June 13, 1971, Miss Sybille Morgan became Mrs. Sybille Swords and traveled to Fort Hood, Texas where much to the couple’s surprise, his orders were revoked, and new ones issued assigning him to General Staff at Fort Hood. After active duty, the couple returned home in 1973 to San Francisco where she finished her degree in 1976 at The University of California, Berkeley. Eventually, Sybille became the front-end manager to a very upscale, high end neighborhood delicatessen and full-service market – Tower Market, where her finely honed gourmet skills were fully utilized. But Sybille also had a natural innate love of people that just radiated from her and made her a natural in customer relations. She loved to be around people and help, as such, volunteered extensively, especially with handicapped children and was the President of a Homeowners Association in San Francisco. Sybille retired early at the young age of 55 and moved to Pebblecreek, Goodyear, Arizona in 2007; a move to enable both to better look after their aging parents. At Pebblecreek, Sybille had been very active in her arts and gourmet interests. She was a great lover of musicals, live theater, the Opera and the Symphony and a regular patron of each as well as a devoted Fan of the Forty-niners. She loved food and prepared the cuisine of all nationalities plus she just loved to dine and experience the culinary wrinkles other chefs made to their preparations. In San Francisco, she was on a first name basis with many of the Bay Area’s top Chefs. Sybille and her husband traveled and cruised extensively from Sydney, Australia to St Petersburg, Russia, as well as visiting relatives in Europe. Despite her grace and style, Sybille never forgot her humble roots. She approached life with humility and humor, was soft spoken and was always generous with herself and her time. She easily madefriends. Around 1977 she became a member of the Northern California Samoyed Fanciers Association and owned a line of Champion Samoyeds. Sybille is survived by her mother Mrs. Eliada Morgan of Surprise, AZ and her husband of 50 years, Clifford Swords of Goodyear, AZ. A Celebration of Sybille’s Life and services for her will be held at Thompson Funeral Chapel in Goodyear Arizona on Sunday, August 29, 2021, from 1pm to 4pm. Those who were touched by her beautiful life and presence are most welcome to join. You can leave the family condolences at https://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/ bituary/sybille-astrid-swords/

BabetteDianeRiceDeMont,alongtimeresidentofLitchfieldPark,AZ endedherpilgrimageonthisearthonJuly24,2021,andisnowinherpermanent homeinheavenwithJesus.Babettewas bornin1928inAlta,Iowa.Duringher teenyears,sheandherfamilymovedtoTucson,Arizona,whereshegraduatedfromTucsonHigh.Shemet herhusbandof49years,RussellDeMont,duringher collegeyearsatUofA,whereshewasamemberof KappaAlphaTheta.Duringheractivelife,Babettenot onlyraisedherthreedaughters,butvolunteeredfor manyyearswiththeAmericanRedCross,aGirlScout leader,andUSOvolunteer.Sheactedinlocaltheater productions,fashionmodeling,enjoyedplayingbridge, golf,fishing,traveling,andlivinglifetothefullest! Sheissurvivedbytwoofherdaughters,Charmaine andJuanita,andispredeceasedbyherthirddaughter, Ramona. Sevenlovinggrandchildrenand14greatgrandchildrenwillmisshersweetpresence.Aprivate memorialisplannedforalaterdate.Inlieuofflowers, contributionstotheEmployeeAppreciationFundatLa LomaAssistedLivingCareCenterwouldbewelcome.

EllenEspil

EllenEspil,74,ofYuma,AZpassed awayonJuly31,2021afteralongbattle withAlzheimer'sdisease.Shewasborn inBoston,MAonJuly14,1947.Ellen graduated from St. Joseph's nursing school in 1970. She was married to Mike Espil on July 24th, and they celebrated their 51st year of marriage thisyear.EllenstartedasapediatricnurseatSt.Joseph's hospitalinPhoenix,AZ.In1980,shebeganher30year careerasaschoolnurseandservedatbothLattieCoor SchoolofAvondaleandWoodardJuniorHighofYuma. Ellenretiredfromnursingin2010.Ellenenjoyedthe gameoftennisandlovedhertimeattheEspilRanchin Flagstaff,especiallyridinghorses.Spendingtimewith familyandfriendswasherfavoritepastimeofall.She alwayshadakindwordandasmileonherfaceevenup toherlastbreath.EllenbattledAlzheimer'swithgrace andjoyfrom2012toherpassing.Shewasblessedwith amazing care by the staff at the Groves at Merrill Gardens and American Premier Hospice. Ellen was a wonderfulwife,mother,sisterandfriendthatwillbe greatlymissed.SheissurvivedbyherhusbandMikeand two daughters, Melani (Todd) Bolin and Melissa (Jeremy) Dyck and four grandchildren. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to the Alzheimer'sAssociation.Anopenhousecelebratingher life will be held at the Wigwam Resort, Mohave Ballroom,inLitchfieldParkonSaturday,August21st between2-5pm.