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Mary Jane VanVorhis - Harwood - Begley - Knorpp

Posted 2009-05-08 by Pat Wilson
The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona
July 20, 2006

Mary Jane Knorpp passed on July 15, 2006. She was born to Anna Pearl Stauffer and Walter Wesley Knorpp at St. Joseph's Hospital on February 27, 1923.

She attended Emerson Grade School, was in the first graduating class of North High School, and attended Mills College for 3 1/2 years.

She was social director at the Arizona Biltmore where she met, then married Pete Van Voorhis, now deceased.

Mary Jane and Pete had three children, Viki, Jana and Wes.

Later she married Elk Harwood, deceased, and Jack Begley, also deceased.

She was a founding member and Vice-President of the Phoenix Arts Council, President of the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and active in the YWCA, Junior League, ARCS, Phoenix Symphony and the Board of Visitors, for which she chaired many fundraisers. Her favorite vocation was as a European Tour Director for college students.

She was honored to be chosen as a Jaycee's Rodeo Queen Attendant, Princess of the Masque of the Yellow Moon, and Queen of the Phoenix Thunderbirds' Fiesta Del Sol.

She loved her children, her friends, tennis, the Dirty Dozen luncheon group, artichokes, chocolate & peanut butter, traveling, and all people she met.

Mary Jane was loved by everyone and had a good word for all. She was sweet, loving and kind. She was the world's best organizer and entertainer extraordinaire. She was the best Mom in the entire World.

Mary Jane is survived by her loving children, Viki (Tom) Thomas, Jana Van Voorhis, and Wes (Debra) Van Voorhis, grandchildren Brooke (Craig) Machen and Jared (Megan) Thomas, great-grandchildren, MaryJane and Emmie Machen. Also surviving are many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Family services will be held.

Donations in her memory would be graciously accepted by Hospice of the Valley.

See Also: Gravestone




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