Viola Ann Contreras

Viola Ann Garcia Contreras, 62 of Phoenix, Arizona entered into heaven on September 8, 2020 Phoenix, Arizona. Viola was born Flagstaff, Arizona to Santos R and Fedelina (Barreras) Garcia the middle child of five children. Viola grew up in Flagstaff having attended Coconino High School. Viola married her high school sweetheart, Joe Estudillo, and together they had two children; a boy then a girl. Viola was proud to be a homemaker when her children were very young. Viola and Joe grew up and grew apart. Viola moved to Phoenix with her children and had to find a way to take care of them. She put herself through cosmetology school and became a hairdresser, which she continued to do until her health prevented her from continuing. Viola met her second love, Al Contraras. They were married and had a blended family of seven children.

Viola was a very generous and loving person. Although she struggled raising her children, she always recognized people with greater needs then herself. She was referred to as the “The Shepard of black sheep”. When her children were young they lived in a community with elderly people. Viola would go to the food bank, come home and prepare the food, then distribute it throughout the neighborhood.

Viola loved the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. She would bake for weeks prior and freeze all of her deserts; peanut brittle, fudge, and every kind of cookie that you could think of. She would make homemade tamales and lots of soups made with the fresh vegetables from the food banks. She was a spiritual person and always had faith in God. She loved the lavender and a lime green that she called “high lighter green”. She collected clear crystal dishes that could be viewed in her hutch, and blue glass that was placed throughout the house. Viola often hung encouraging quotes and notes in the house for people to read. Viola had a flower garden she would work in and loved tulips and roses. And when her told her “I love you” she would reply, “I love you the mostest.”

Viola leaves behind her children, Christine (Salvador) Pena and Johnnie Estudillo; blended children, Alfred, Timmy, Tracy, Jacob and James Contreras; grandchildren, Marleigh, Brandon (Veronica) Alexuz, Alyssa, Johnny-Angel, Salina JR, and Kendall; one great grandchild Brandon III; her greatest loves Joe Estudillo and Al Contreras; her siblings Richard (Kiko); Felipe (Veronica), Margaret (Roy) and Raymond (Veronica).

Viola is preceded in heaven by her parents, Santos and Fedelina Garcia; her Uncle John Garcia; grandparents Betty and John Estudillo, and Suzunna and Elias Contreras.