CHALLIS, Abbie Ann

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona, Sunday, February 22, 2015 Abbie Ann Challis February 9, 1924 – February 20, 2015 Abbie Ann Challis, a longtime resident of Flagstaff passed away in the early morning of Friday, February 20, 2015 while surrounded by the love of family and friends. Born in Toledo Ohio, February 9, 1924 to Marjorie and Robert Rosevear, she spent her early years in Michigan. After moving to Tucson Arizona in 1943 she met and married her handsome cowboy, M. H. Jack Challis on June 14th, 1946. Abbie and Jack raised their three children in Tucson and Flagstaff. John Challis and his wife Diane, C. Cookie Challis Driscoll and JennyLee Challis and her wife Susan Hall, all survive Abbie who was pre-deceased by her beloved grandfather Albert Dexter Van Zandt, her mother and her husband Jack who passed in 1994. Grandchildren include John Armsby of Silver Spring MD and Ivy Challis and Amy Challis, both living in Florida. She is also survived by her brother, Jack Rosevear of L.A. County, California. Jack and Abbie moved to Flagstaff in 1970 while their company, Challis Contracting provided the road construction in Kachina Village. After a short stint working at FMC, Abbie got her real estate license and established the first Century 21 office in Flagstaff. Later she opened her own office, Abbie Challis Realty on N. Beaver Street. Her turquoise colored yard signs with the teepee symbol for the ‘A’ in Abbie became very well known throughout Coconino County and beyond. Abbie was very active with the Arizona State Board of Realtors, as well as the National Board and locally with the MLS. Abbie’s service work gave her life meaning and substance. Her closely connected and loving circle of family, friends and associates brought much joy to her life every day. Anyone who knew Abbie knew of her deep and abiding affection for animals, especially her cats and fish. She raised three children that carry on that tradition of loving and caring deeply for their pets, including dogs, cats, rats, snakes, tarantulas, horses and gerbils. Abbie was always available to help any newcomer whether they walked on two legs or four. And Abbie loved “her” Lake Powell. Having grown up in Michigan, she crewed on racing sail boats as a teen and more recently spent every possible minute on her beloved “Destiny”, a 22’ Sea Ray at Lake Powell. She also appreciated turtles, as evidenced by her vast collection of turtles in art. A celebration of Abbie’s life will be held at The Federated Church, 400 West Aspen Ave, Flagstaff AZ 86001, Monday, February 23rd at 3:00 PM immediately followed by a pot luck reception with her family and community. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Abbie’s name to Northland Hospice or The Olivia White Hospice Home, 452 N Switzer Canyon Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, or to the charity of your choosing.