PACKER, Adrienne

Adrienne Dale Packer died Tuesday (June 25, 2002) at Desert Samaritan Care Center after living bravely with cancer for several months. She was the eldest child of the Rev. William and Mabel Dale, born on July 9, 1919, in International Falls, Minn. She attended Hamlin College in Minneapolis and later graduated from Minnesota Business College. Adrienne worked as a personal secretary at the PAKO Corporation in Minneapolis, and later as a church secretary at the First Congregational Church of Tempe. She was office manager for her husband's insurance Agency, Ralph Packer Insurance, for 24 years. Adrienne found her greatest joy in her family, in whom she took great pride. She enjoyed bowling and Playing bridge with friends, collecting Teddy Bears, and spending time at their Northern Arizona cabin. Adrienne, a Tempe resident for more than 42 years, was active in numerous community organizations. She was a leader for the Cub Scouts and Campfire Girls, a charter member and past president of the Zonta Professional Women's Club, and a member of Eastern Star, Historic Tempe Woman's Club, the Salvation Army Auxilary, Daughters of the Nile and the First Congregational Church of Tempe. She was also an active member of the St. Luke's Hospital Auxiliary, which awarded her its Women of Distinction honor in 1993. She was preceded in death by a son, Roger Packer, and her brother, David Dale. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Ralph Packer of Tempe; a sister, Margaret Clausen of Stillwater, Minn.; three daughters, Sharon Harkins of Chandler, Shirley Roberts of Medford, Ore., and Joanne Porter of Flagstaff; six grandchildren, Jennifer Leonard of Tempe, Stephanie Harkins of San Diego, Calif., Mike Roverts and Kristi Roberts of Medford, Ore., and Doug Porter and Greg Porter of Flagstaff; and two great-grandchildren, Cassandra Leonard and Benjamin Leonard of Tempe. A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, June 29, 2002, at the First Congregational Church of Tempe. Donations are suggested to the First Congregational Church of Tempe Memorial Fund or the American Cancer Society. Published in the Arizona Republic June 27, 2002.