Pierrette Pancrazi

Pierrette “Pete” Greff Pancrazi, of Yuma, Arizona died on April 20, 2025. Born to Alois and Marie Elise Greff on November 8, 1926 in Algrange, France, she sailed to America with her family in 1929. She spent her formative years in Buffalo, New York where she dreamt of moving out West. After graduating from the New York State College for Teachers in 1951, she followed those dreams and drove across the country to teach at the San Pasqual Elementary School. It was upon her arrival in Yuma that she was introduced to Ernest “Ernie” Pancrazi. They married in 1955 and remained together until his death in 2004.

Pete was a storyteller, a collector, and a trailblazer. She contained multitudes and led a life impossible to distill into a few short paragraphs. She wrote poetry that was a reflection of herself: sharp, wry, and deeply spiritual. She loved animals so much that her family was never without a pet—or three. She was a “thrifter” long before it was popular and operated monthly yard sales like clockwork. Her home held countless treasures, some of which she sold and far more of which she gave away. In Pete’s eyes, nothing was so precious that it couldn’t be shared. She loved reading Stephen King novels, and she was an early fan of Star Trek. Later in her life, Pete shared her fondness for all things spooky and unknowable with her grandchildren, who fondly remember hours spent hearing ghost stories and playing make-believe with her.

She is predeceased by her husband Ernie, her parents, her sister Elise Greff Keller (d. 2014), and her twin brother Pierre Greff (d. 1927). She is survived by her three children Peter Pancrazi (Jill Moore), Catherine “Katie” Phalen (Michael), and Andrew “Andy” Pancrazi; five grandchildren Christopher “Chris” (Tara), Elise, and Brian Phalen, Andrew and Ethan Pancrazi; and one great-grandson on the way.

The funeral mass will be held on Friday, May 2nd at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church located at 505 S Avenue B. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Hansen House (https://thehansenhouse.org/) where she received outstanding care in her final days.