Maria B. Tavena

AK-CHIN - Maria B. Tavena, 68, died Oct. 1, 2007 at Hospice of the Valley at Friendship Village.


Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Friday at the St. Francis of Assisi feast house, with the wake following. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 8 a.m. Saturday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Mission by the Rev. Ed Meulemans. Burial will be in Ak-Chin Cemetery.

Ms. Tavena was born Jan. 2, 1939 and was a daughter of Jose and Melinda Batopsis. She was a hospital housekeeper.

Survivors include two daughters, Lucy M. Jerry and Maria Tavena Thomas of Maricopa; four sons, Joe Jerry Jr. of Tempe, Fred Jerry Jr., Frank and Ramon Tavena, all of Maricopa; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Jerry Sr., in 2001; two sons, Ray Jerry and Antonio Tavena; two sisters, Celia Alejandro and Priscella Hernandez; and two brothers, Laurence Batopsis Sr. and Jose Batopsis Jr.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements.