Joanne Vukovich Dye

September 25th, 1930 – November 3rd, 2013

Joanne passed away peacefully on November 3rd, 2013. Joanne was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Joanne was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona on September 25th, 1930. She grew up in central Phoenix and was very proud to be a native Phoenician.

After graduating from North High School, Joanne attended dental hygienist school in California and returned to Phoenix to work. As a young career woman, Joanne enjoyed meeting friends after work at Durant’s on Central Avenue. That is where she met her future husband, Gilbert Victor Dye. Gil and Joanne were married at the Little Church of the West in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 23, 1958.

Joanne and Gil were blessed with two sons, Mark and Mike. Joanne was a very active mother and took great pride in her boys.

Joanne was a savvy entrepreneur. She was always working and honing her business skills, first in her family liquor store, then later with her own resale clothing business, and furniture auction house. Joanne also owned and operated “Joanne’s Pride” peach orchard. She was involved in growing, packing and distributing her prized peaches each year.

Joanne and husband Gilbert were very involved with thoroughbred horse racing. Joanne supported the Arizona Breeders Association and was a past president of the organization.

Joanne loved to travel and enjoyed many trips abroad with family and friends.

An excellent cook and generous hostess, Joanne loved to entertain, especially at the holidays with family. Her family will always cherish the memory of her Easter brunches, 4th of July parties in Solana Beach, and Christmas Eve tamale dinners.

Joanne had a true passion for life; whether enjoying the horse races, beach time with the grandkids, poker games with friends or cooking from scratch, she did it all with grace and humor.

Joanne is survived by her husband of 55 years, Gilbert; son Mark and daughter-in-law Lori; son Mike and daughter-in-law, Sydney; beloved grandchildren, Lindsey, Chase, Madison and Taylor; sisters Eve Pearson, and Rosemarie McGowan; nephews John Murphy (and his family), George Pearson (and his family) and niece Linda Pearson.

Joanne was predeceased by her brother, Paul Vukovich and sister Pauline Vukovich Murphy.

Services to be held at Christ Church of the Ascension, 4015 East Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, on Thursday, November 7th at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations to one of the following would be appreciated:

Hospice of the Valley

1510 E. Flower Street

Phoenix, Arizona 85014

www.hov.org

Arizona Humane Society

1521 West Dobbins Road

Phoenix, AZ 85041

http://www.azhumane.org