Olivia Cajero Bedford

Olivia Cajero Bedford passed away February 9, 2022, after a brief non-Covid-related illness. She is survived by beloved children, son Travis Bedford of Tucson, Tara Chipman and son-in-law David Chipman, of Arlington, VA; grandchildren Allison and Carson Chipman of Keller, TX, and sister and best friend, Monica Cajero Tardino and brother-in-law Victor Tardino of Ridgefield, CT. Olivia was a native Tucsonan, preceded in death by her parents, Carmen F. and Bernardo M. “Nayo” Cajero.

Like her sweet cats, Olivia seemed to have nine lives, re-inventing herself and beginning a new phase in her life every few years. Upon graduation from Tucson High School’s vocational school, Olivia began a career as a hairstylist which led to her owning her own salon, O’Hair International, with two successful locations.

Wanting a career change in the late 1980s, Olivia closed the salons and went to work for the Arizona Office of Tourism, sharing her love of Arizona with people from around the world. Her next phase involved sales at the former Smuggler’s Inn and Old Tucson Studios, where she loved wearing western wear and did so with her usual panache.

In 2000, having spent her adulthood as a member of the Democrats of Greater Tucson, and serving as its president in 1974, she chose to run for the Arizona House of Representatives, following in the footsteps of Nayo and Carmen (“La Paloma”), who represented Tucson’s south side collectively for 28 years. Olivia lost; however, because of her drive and determination, she came back stronger, winning her first election in 2002. She went on to serve in both the Arizona House and Senate for 16 years.

Olivia loved representing the citizens of Tucson Legislative Districts 27 and 3 and could be found at election time standing in the bed of her purple truck waving at potential voters or going door to door to talk to her constituents. Olivia, true to her beginnings, backed the working class, always fighting for teachers, law enforcement, and unions. She was a pro-choice voter and worked hard to save the beautiful Sonoran desert from overdevelopment.

Personally, Bernie, as she was known to family and close friends, was always impeccably dressed and incredibly glamorous, recognizable by her signature black hair, long red nails, and ever-present hat. She loved shopping for and altering the suits she wore to the Capitol in Phoenix as she was a master seamstress. She was often nominated for Best Dressed at the Capitol.

Upon leaving the Senate, Olivia returned to Tucson to resume her daily dance class with the same group of women she’d danced with for decades. Olivia loved her home, working in her yard, climbing ladders, her neighborhood javelinas, and keeping up with state and national politics, always with an opinion on both. In addition to her family, Olivia loved cats including long gone Himself and Oliver, and present-day sweeties, Chipper and Baby Dingdong, who miss her greatly.

Donations in Olivia’s memory may be made to www.plannedparenthood.org or to www.greenvalleypawspatrol.org.

A celebration of Olivia’s life will be held March 25, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at East Lawn Palms Mortuary, 5801 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85712.