SOWELL, Katherine

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ Wednesday, January 05, 2011 Katherine Sowell, age 79, of Peeples Valley, Ariz., passed away on Dec. 22 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Her final days were spent surrounded by her family. She was born on October 6, 1931 in Los Angeles, Calif. After graduating from El Monte High School at age 16, she worked for Bank of America in downtown Los Angeles. She married Ralph Sowell in 1954, and in 1972, they moved their family to Phoenix. Wherever she lived, Katherine became an active participant in the community through her volunteer work. She was an officer or longtime volunteer in Junior Women’s Club, PTA/PTO, Paradise Valley Girls Softball League, Shadow Mountain High School Booster Club, Paradise Valley School District, United Parent Council, Paradise Valley Community College, Yarnell Library and the Peeples Valley Volunteer Fire Department. Katherine is survived by her husband Ralph of Peeples Valley, son Kenneth of Phoenix, daughter Sherida of Tempe, and daughter Kelly of Scottsdale. A Celebration of Katherine’s life is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 8) at the Yarnell Community Presbyterian Church. Memorials in Katherine’s name may be sent to the Arizona Humane Society, Attn: Development Department, 1521 W Dobbins Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85041, http://www.azhumane.org/PDFs/ahs-gen-donation-form.pdf or https://www.azhumane.org/artman2/publish/donate2/gendonate.shtml. Friends may offer online condolences at www.wickenburgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Wickenburg Funeral Home & Crematory.