ARSENAULT, Anita

Kingman Daily Miner, Kingman, AZ - Published on December 12, 2013 - "IN GOD WE TRUST" On Sunday morning, Dec. 8, 2013 a stronghold of our Kingman community, Mohave County and our country went to be with our God in Heaven. "Anita" is all you'd have to say, and people know her. She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend and our ray of sunshine and spoon full of sugar when one was needed. She loved and was loved. She will be missed. She was also as tough as they come, a fighter, a hard worker, organizer, a valued critic, problem solver and a peacemaker. Most of all she was an American true to the "Red, White, and Blue" and our God with whom she placed all of her faith and trust. Anita not only lived the American dream, she defined it. She was a God fearing, proud, card-carrying conservative Republican woman who reached out to all. She loved sports, "Go Niners," music, singing with her beautiful voice while playing many instruments, fishing, camping, motorcycle riding, the outdoors and all of its plants and animals. To be in her presence was magical. Her ways were quiet without judgment but loaded with encouragement. She lived life with innocence and gave generously, never asking for anything in return. She is an amazing spirit. She cared for everyone that crossed her path. She loved deeply those who walked with her, and continues to walk with them. Like Emerson, Anita didn't go where the path may lead; instead she went where there was no path, cutting a road. She was unafraid of stepping out of the normal and "living of life," no matter the cost of comparison. She always found a light shining that many times others would not see. Her smile is her Eternal Gift. Anita was born in Eugene, Ore., to Glen and Barbie Flock, who have preceded her in death along with her brother Larry Flock and husband Richard Arsenault. She is survived by her husband, Bob Boyd, and her loving son, Jason Arsenault, and his wife, Tracy, and their children, Clayton and Katelyn. Anita's loving big brother, Laddie Flock, (whom she adored) and his wife Mare Bear and theirs and Larry's children and grandchildren, her dear mother-in-law Dorothy Cox and her family, along with a list of stepchildren: Stacey Fairfield (Billy), Rodney Fairfield, Sunni Rose, Cristy Boyd-Lacourse, (Ryan), Marie McMahan (Chad) and a list of 10 additional step-grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and finally Anita and Bob's two hounds Shadow and Bud Man. To say that Bob and Anita had a blended family would be an understatement. They all have her spirit within them in their own ways. She also leaves a list of friends and associates too long to mention fairly. She felt so blessed by them all. Those closest to her in her final walk cannot go without a special mention. They are Amber and Dusty Simpson, who in the long run became part of the blended family, being there for any need; and Shaun Marsh, his family and company, Marsh Custom Construction, who gave life to her dreams for her mountain cabin along with her brother Laddie. Her son-in-law Billy Simons, who shares her magical creativity for the holiday spirit, lit up her mountain with her shining lights, and Lenora, Jatan, Linda, Denise, Pastor Denny and especially Marilyn "Sunshine" Taylor with KRMC Hospice who maintained her grace and dignity through her most difficult times. As a professional, books are written about people such as Anita, detailing their accomplishments. She retired from the telecommunications industry, starting out as a customer representative with Citizens Utilities of Bullhead City and completing her career as a corporate director in operations with Frontier Communication working throughout the country. She also started, owned and operated Mild Kingdom Pet Store in Bullhead City following her love for animals and filling a need for such a shop in a growing community. She was the original 911 operator for Pinon Pine Fire Department with her husband, Richard Arsenault, who served as their training officer, both on a voluntary basis. As a community servant and activist, Anita is a past president of the Kingman Soroptmist. She was both president and vice president of the Kingman Republican Women. She was honored with the Republican 2012 Woman of the Year Award. She served as a precinct commiteeman for the Republican Party and state delegate and was unanimously elected to the position of secretary of the Mohave County Republican Party. This list goes on. Finally, when faced with being told that she had ALS, Anita pulled it together and said, "That's not acceptable," which I have learned is her way to lay down a challenge to us all to make a difference in life. She worked and prayed hard '"fighting the good fight." She set up the matrix for us to follow, and with our Lord. She will watch over us with her loving spirit forever. A final viewing will be held at Sutton Memorial Funeral Home at 1701 Sycamore Ave. on Friday, Dec. 13, from 5-7 p.m. The memorial service will be held at Kingman First Assembly of God Church, located at 1850 Gates Ave., on Saturday, Dec. 14, starting at 11a.m. by Senior Pastor Danny Briles followed by a cold cut luncheon and refreshments in the youth hall on site. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, which she dearly loved as a certified master gardener, that memorial contributions may be made in H. Anita Arsenault-Boyd's memory to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center's ALS Research Fund - Fund# 301874. Checks may be made payable and sent to: The Ohio State University Foundation, Attn. Kyle Sebastian, 1480 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43221. In the check memo line, please write in Fund #301874/Anita Arsenault-Boyd or visit giveto.osu.edu/ALSresearch.