Jeanette Edith Clifton, 85, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on May 1st, 2021. Jeanette was born on October 8th, 1935, in Williamston, MI, the daughter of Alan and Margaret (Cummings) Foy and sister to 3 brothers Gene, Larry and Mike Foy. Jeanette is preceded in death by her parents Alan and Margaret Foy, Gene and Larry Foy, Tommy (Donna) Clifton, Mary Ann Clifton, Art Clifton, and beloved son Brian Christopher Clifton. Jeanette is survived by her brother Mike (Janie) Foy, Sister’s in law Nancy (Frank) Lozzie, Karen Clifton, children Patrick (Chris) Clifton, Michael (Jeanne) Clifton, Lisa (Yates) Clifton, Matthew (Kimberly) Clifton, grandchildren Brittany (Robbie) Marycz, Sean Clifton, Ian (Hailey) Clifton, Caitlin Clifton (Thomas Pollard), Kelly Clifton, Melisa Clifton (Patrick Dunlop), Michael Joseph Clifton, Jadon Clifton, Adam (Ems Rapp) Clifton, Matthew Yates, and great-grandchildren Grayson “Baby Rodger” Marycz, Ryder and Rhet Rapp.
Jeanette graduated from Michigan State University, Class of 1957 with a bachelor's degree in science and Nursing Education. During Jeanette’s junior year at MSU she met the love of her life, Rodger Joseph Clifton, who was her soul mate and best friend. They married after she graduated in 1958 and started their life of 59 years together. Jeanette taught Rodger faith and selflessness and Rodger taught Jeanette how to live in the moment. Rodger was an entrepreneur, while Jeanette worked as an RN, and they raised a family with 4 boys, Patrick, Michael, Brian, and Matthew. Growing up on a farm in a small rural township in MI prepared Jeanette for a life of selfless devotion to her family, friends, and the causes which she was so passionate about throughout her entire life. Jeanette was always a caretaker, she loved people and nursing was just one example of her many passions. Jeanette was always compelled and taught her family to get involved in critical issues and assist those in need. In 1974, tired of the cold Michigan winters, Rodger and Jeanette sold their business & moved the family to Tucson
where Jeanette started a second career in Real Estate. Jeanette found a new passion in helping others obtain the American dream of homeownership and started Century 21 Frontier Realty with Rodger which they cultivated into the highest producing franchise in North America. During this time Jeanette moved into construction and development at Clifton Investment Company and found a passion for design and building apartment complexes in Tucson and Phoenix. The successes of Jeanette's professional life led to her true passion and calling in Philanthropy. There are so many causes and organizations
that Jeanette was involved in that it is not possible to name them all however she was such a critical piece in changing the way people lived in Rocky Point that she was the first American Citizen to be named Puerto Peñasco’s “Woman of the Year” and her contributions to Casa Maria Soup Kitchen and Sister Jose Women’s Center has helped thousands of people in need in Tucson. Jeanette’s contributions paired with the love of her family were recognized by Tu Nidito’s “Remarkable Mom” award. If you knew her you would know that her number one priority was her family. Family dinner and holidays would always include her family which consisted of her biological family of course but Jeanette embraced love and considered all she knew as her family. She loved all people and their stories. Jeanette was truly thankful for all of those in her life and her contributions and dedication to helping others is what truly made her a “Remarkable Mom.”
Please join us in celebrating her life Saturday May 15th at 10:00 am at Our Mother of Sorrow’s Parrish 1800 S. Kolb Rd Tucson, AZ 85710. We will be having a celebration in Mexico this October to celebrate her birthday. Due to COVID, we will not be able to have a formal reception at this time, however, the family will stay after the service to greet everyone. We are happy that mom and dad are reunited and are certain they are celebrating in true Clifton fashion. To quote the most amazing, loving, and caring woman we know “Every Day is a Gift.”
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation.
Sister Jose Women's Center Donation Link -
https://www.srjosewomensshelter.org/donate/
or Donations can be mailed to:
Sister José Women’s Center
P.O. Box 1028
Tucson, AZ 85702
Casa Maria Soup Kitchen Donation Linkhttps://
or You can write a check to:
Casa Maria Catholic Worker
and mail it to 401 East 26th Street. Tucson, AZ. 85713
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