Joan Wallace Thew

Joan Wallace Thew, 83, of Phoenix, went to heaven on March 19. She was born in Las Lunas, New Mexico, and moved to Arizona in 1933. She spent her childhood years traveling with her parents, Frank and Georgia, and her sisters, Ruth and Verna, across the southwest when her father was the original contractor who built roads and highways through the state. The youngest of three daughters, her mother affectionately referred to her as her little Shirley Temple. She lived in Chino Valley, Concho, Kingman, Prescott and Tucson, among many other places. In 1942, the family settled in the Palmcroft area of Phoenix. Joan met her husband of 31 years, Wes, while attending North High School. They married in 1947 and were blessed with five children. Joan graduated from the University of Arizona in Tucson, where she was an active member of the Alpha Phi sorority and received her bachelors' degree in Agriculture/Home Economics. In 1957, Joan began her career at the Arizona House of Representatives starting as a page and working her way up to minority leader secretary, then public information supervisor. Many people remember Joan as the smiling face with the warm personality who greeted them with a wealth of information when they first entered the capitol doors. Upon retirement in 2005, she was honored with a proclamation on the floor of the House of Representatives for her 50 years of dedicated service. Joan loved to dance, travel and host lively family dinners. Her children were her biggest passion and she was loved by all. Joan is survived by her sister, Ruth Pohle; her children, Wes, Mike, Susan and Jim Thew with his wife, Sharon; five grandchildren, Jennifer, Marcus, Lisa, Logan and Aleah, all proudly carrying the Thew name; and the two beloved dogs she shared with her daughter, Sophia Loren and Grace Kelly. Mothers are angels waiting for their wings and that was certainly true of our mother Joan Thew. The viewing will be held on Friday, March 25, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, followed by services on Saturday, March 26 at 2:00 pm, both at A.L. Moore Grimshaw Mortuary at 710 W. Bethany Home Rd. in Phoenix. Arrangements under the direction of A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Bethany Chapel, Phoenix, AZ.