Elizabeth Patricia Dehesa

Elizabeth Patricia (Pazos) DeHesa, age 44, of Chandler, Arizona, passed away on July 30th, surrounded by the deep love of her family and friends, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.. Known for her warmth and enthusiasm, Liz lived every day with passion, fierce devotion to her family and an unstoppable spirit for life.

She was born in La Puente, California and raised in Fontana, California. Born with natural brilliance and a drive to shine, Liz graduated from Fontana High School in 1998, a full year early, at just 17 years old, with near perfect grades and a 1500 SAT score that earned her acceptance to Stanford University. After her early graduation, Liz took time to find her direction. One of her meaningful stops along the way was New Orleans, where she joined her big brother Ed.

Professionally, Liz was nothing short of exceptional. As an Account Manager at Advent Med, she was named, Employee of the Year, for all three years of her tenure. Though she was hired to manage accounts, Liz’s gift for connection and her charismatic personality propelled her into the top sales performer. Her employer recognized her talent and dedication that they requested she relocate from Las Vegas to Arizona to continue her work. Liz and her family made the move to Chandler, AZ, They immediately built a community of friends among neighbors, teammates, and sports families. Wherever Liz went, she created a sense of belonging.

Colleagues and clients became lifelong friends. Liz elevated every space she entered with a rare combination of excellence, empathy, and authenticity.

A proud Mexican-American, Liz rooted her life in tradition, family, and joy. She learned to make authentic tamales and later mastered her husband's family gumbo recipe with equal pride. From a young age, Liz loved to dance and she never stopped. She brought that same energy to every room, every gathering, and every milestone. She boxed for fun, ran marathons and triathlons, and tackled cancer with relentless courage, trying every available treatment with the heart of a true warrior.

Charisma! Spirited! Fighter! These words only begin to describe Liz. She was also deeply loyal, joyfully stubborn, and fiercely family-oriented. Every friend she made was instantly folded into her world as family. Her house was a place of open doors and open arms. She celebrated everything, from birthday parties to casual get-togethers, with beautiful meals, heartfelt conversation, and laughter that filled the air. You didn’t just visit Liz, you were welcomed, fed, loved, and celebrated.

One of Liz’s greatest gifts was her ability to make people feel truly seen. She always made time to pause, chat, and listen in a way that made others feel heard, valued, and special. Whether it was a passing conversation or a long talk over coffee, you walked away from Liz feeling like you mattered.

Liz’s love for sports was legendary. A loyal fan through and through, she cheered for the Raiders, Bengals, Bears, and the Las Vegas Golden Knights. But her biggest devotion was to the sports played by her children. Whether it was flag football, softball, soccer, or baseball, Liz was on the sidelines with heart and voice, never missing a game if she could help it. Even when her health made it difficult, she watched from the car with her mother-in-law, Verita, just to be nearby and support the kids she adored. She was the kind of mom who showed up, cheered loud and always brought snacks and smiles.

Her passion for travel was equally rich and joyful. Liz never shied away from an adventure or a spontaneous celebration. She created lifelong memories with family and friends on Disney cruises and in tropical destinations like Hawaii, Costa Rica, Puerto Vallarta, the Bahamas, Belize, and throughout Mexico and the Caribbean. She explored U.S. cities such as New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Cincinnati, Denver, Seattle, New Orleans, and Florida. Her international adventures took her as far as Australia, New Zealand, and Puerto Rico. Wherever she went, she brought laughter, generosity, and love.

Liz also had a deep love for capturing memories, literally. She never let a visit go undocumented and every gathering, no matter how short, always ended with a group photo. It was her way of honoring the moment, the people, and the joy of being together. These pictures, now treasured by so many, are living proof of how much Liz valued connection and togetherness.

Holidays were especially magical. Liz adorned every corner of her home with decorations that brought sparkle and warmth to the season. Halloween was one of Liz’s favorite times of year, and she was famous for her unforgettable adult Halloween parties. She poured her heart into decorating every corner of her home, turning it into a festive masterpiece that reflected her creativity and love for celebration.

Liz leaves behind a legacy of love, tradition, courage, and celebration. Her absence is immeasurable but her spirit will live on in every shared family recipe, every song danced to in the kitchen, every game cheered from the sidelines, every holiday decorated with care, every group photo was taken with love, every meaningful chat that brings comfort, and every memory that brings a smile to those who knew her.

She showed us how to fight with grace, how to love without limit, and how to live fully, fiercely, and generously.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Liz’s cherished Arizona friends and especially Brett, Candace, Trevor, Diane, Arcelia and Cherrica (Las Vegas). Their unwavering devotion brought her comfort and joy. Their visits, calls, and quiet moments by her side ensured Liz always felt deeply loved and never alone.

A special tribute is also given to her lifelong best friend, Ana Andrade. Through every season of Liz’s life, Ana remained a constant. She was always ready to answer the phone, offer advice, share laughter, and surround Liz with unconditional love and friendship.

A special thank you to the Las Vegas Mommy and Me group; Kristen, Jessica, and Jennifer for being such an important part of Liz’s motherhood journey. From the time their children were newborns through age 10, this group met monthly (often with fun themes) to share the ups and downs of parenting. Their friendship, laughter, and support helped shape some of Liz’s most cherished years as a mother.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Verita, Maria, and Eduardo, for the unwavering support they provided throughout her journey. Verita was a constant source of emotional strength and always there for Dana, Liz, Jordan and Deanna. She always offered encouragement and gave of her time selflessly over the past three years. Maria cared for Liz with gentle hands and a loving heart, helping with daily needs and ensuring Liz was clean, comfortable, and cared for with dignity. Eduardo brought comfort and calm to the home, offering wise words and warm meals that nourished more than just the body. Their love and presence meant everything.

Lastly, we honor the deep love and devotion of her husband, Dana. Throughout this journey, Dana was Liz’s constant caregiver, companion, and source of strength. His unwavering commitment to keeping Liz at home where she could be surrounded by love, give love, and feel love was a true reflection of their bond. He never gave up, and his presence was a steady light in Liz’s final chapter. His support carried her through the darkest moments, giving her strength to hold on.

She is survived by her beloved parents, Eduardo and Maria Pazos;

her brother, Eduardo Jr. and his wife, Rosemary Pazos (Las Vegas, NV), and their children, Eduardo III and Roxanne;

her sister, Melissa Pazos (Moreno Valley, CA) and her children, Nicholas, Marina, and Olivia Garcia;

and her sister, Janet, and her husband, Jason Tackett (Jurupa Valley, CA) and their children, Karina, Emily, Henry and Daniel; Step-sister Aymee and her husband Brian Cruz.

She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Verita DeHesa (Chino Hills, CA) and Dana's family: Charlotte and husband Edwin (Murrieta,CA), Calvin Jr. and wife Katie (Rancho Cucamonga, CA),Christopher and wife Tammy (Arkansas) and Darin and wife Diane (Grand Terrace, CA).

Liz’s true joy was found in her family, the one she was born into and the one she built with love. She shared her life with her devoted husband, Dana Michael DeHesa, and was the proud and loving mother of Jordan (age 14) and Deanna (age 12). She also leaves behind her beloved pets; Sassy, Zoe, Chance, and Luna who brought her comfort, laughter, and unconditional love.