CORELLA, Carmelita

CORELLA, Carmelita, peacefully passed away on May 11, 2009. She was born on December 4, 1910 to Alfredo and Concepción Monreal and was the oldest of their six children. Carmelita was born in Mexico and at the age of three came to the mining community of Ajo, Arizona where she spent most of her life. After graduating as valedictorian of her high school class, she proudly worked for Phelps Dodge Mining Company at the New Cornelia Hospital for 20 years. During her retirement years, her deep Catholic faith led her to the service of the Ajo Catholic Daughters of America. Carmelita will be remembered for the love and devotion she extended to her family. She was an inspirational mother, sister, Nana and Nanita. Greeting her on May 11, 2009, were her loving husband of 53 years, Charles A. Corella and son, Charles J. Corella; sisters, Amada Mota and Sara Monreal and her brother, Norbert Monreal. Remaining to honor her in this life are her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ann and Richard Foran; daughter-in-law, Kathy Corella; sister, Maria Hoge; brother, David Monreal (Anna Lydia); sister-in-law, Quetta Monreal and her four grandchildren, Lisa Dini, Kevin Foran, Michelle Corella and Charles M. Corella and her four great-grandchildren, Siena and Brayden Dini and Conor and Jack Foran. She is also survived by many loving Godchildren, nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 14, 2009 at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 1946 E. Lee, Tucson, AZ. Burial will be in the Ajo Cemetery, Ajo, AZ on Friday, May 15, 2009 following the Rosary that will be recited by the Catholic Daughters at 1:30 p.m. at her longtime parish, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation be made in honor of her son, Charles who recently passed away from ALS. Donations may be sent to Jim Himelic Fund for ALS Research/University of Arizona Foundation, P.O. Box 210109, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0109. Thank you to all of the caring staff at the Canyon View Adult Care Home for their loving care of our Carmelita. Arrangements by BRING'S MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 236 S. Scott. --Arizona Daily Star (May 13, 2009)