Irma Arvayo

Obituary of Irma Cordova Arvayo

Irma C. Arvayo (June 22, 1947-February 8, 2023)

Born the second child of the five children of Julio and Anita (Cordova) Mancillas. Irma spent her childhood summers working on her grandparents’ farm in San Pedro, Mexico near Hermosillo where she was born. Long summer days were spent waking up early, making tortillas for breakfast, feeding the chickens, slopping the hogs, and watering the many trees that inhabited the family farm. Then it was time to make lunch for the hungry workers, followed by cleaning, and then working in the general store run by her grandmother. After that, it was time to make more tortillas for dinner, serve dinner, clean up, gather eggs and finally to bed to be ready for early morning start to do it all over again. This should still be kept secret, but Irma and her cousins would often sneak a bonbom or two from the general store when her grandmother would occasionally take a nap. Don’t tell!

Her childhood set the stage for a supremely productive and hardworking life. Very few people could match the energy, vigor and meticulous determination with which Irma worked. She began her 42-year career working at Macayo’s at the age of 15. Except for a few years working in the school cafeteria to be close to her beloved son, David and a few others working at Cisco’s Mexican Food Restaurant, she spent the majority with Macayo’s.

In the summer of ’69, Irma met her lifelong love and partner, David. He was fresh out of the service, and they were introduced by a friend of his cousin. That was the beginning of 52 years together of which enough could never be said. They were blessed by a son, David who gave Irma the second love of her life, her grandson Robert.

Irma showed kindness to everyone. She often made meals for family, neighbors and friends and her food was so delicious, you could taste the extra amount of love in every bite. She never met a stranger and could engage with anyone in any situation. She was a devoted prayer warrior, and her home was filled with prayer at all times. She took to heart the maxims of her Savior, Jesus, “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” (Mt 25:35-36) This is how she lived life.

Irma is survived by her husband, David (Sr), son David (Ellen), grandson Robert, sisters: Norma Guerrero (Victor), Liz Garcia (+Alex), brothers: Gilberto Mancillas (Reina), Carlos Mancillas (Sorina) and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Queen of Peace Catholic Church (Q of P is 30 W. 1st Street, Mesa 85201) on Thursday, February 23 at 10am followed by internment at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery (2033 N. 48th St. Phoenix, AZ 85008). A reception will begin at 1:00pm with location to be determined.

Vigil and Rosary will be Wednesday the 22nd, with Vigil beginning at 7pm, Rosary at 8pm and held at Meldrum Mortuary and Crematory (52 N. Macdonald in Mesa). Meldrum Mortuary is caddy corner to Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

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Wednesday
22
February

Vigil Service

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Meldrum Mortuary
52 N. Macdonald
Mesa, Arizona, United States
4808349255
Wednesday
22
February

Rosary

8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Meldrum Mortuary
52 N. Macdonald
Mesa, Arizona, United States
4808349255
Thursday
23
February

Funeral Mass

10:00 am
Thursday, February 23, 2023
Queen of Peace
141 N. Macdonal
Mesa, Arizona, United States
Thursday
23
February

Graveside Service

12:00 pm
Thursday, February 23, 2023
Saint Francis Cemetery
2033 N 48th Street
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
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