TIDWELL, Marguerite (Mimi)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 01/01/2016 Marguerite “Mimi” Tidwell, 95, died Dec. 25, 2015, in Payson. She was born in Baton Rouge, La., and moved to Scottsdale when she was 10 years old. Mimi graduated from Scottsdale High School in 1938 and married Ed Tidwell in 1946. She established the first licensed, in-home day care for children in Scottsdale in 1954 and continued the business she loved until 1977. She and “Daddy Ed” moved to Christopher Creek in 1978 where they had owned a summer cabin on the creek since 1964. Mimi touched the lives of many children and families, often accepting little or no payment for her babysitting, home cooked meals and loving hugs. Over the decades, countless former children Mimi cared for in Scottsdale have continued to visit her with thanks and appreciation for her unconditional love and respect. Her smiling face, as she took her daily walks on Columbine Road, will be greatly missed by her friends and neighbors. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward W. Tidwell; son Michael D. Tidwell Sr.; daughter Peggy Tidwell Moore and baby daughter Brenda. She is survived by her daughter, Rosemary Tidwell (Dave) Elston; daughter-in-law Jean Tidwell; granddaughter,Tammy (Dan) Milhon; grandsons Brian Elston, Michael (Pam) Tidwell Jr. and Joshua (Courtney) Moore; granddaughters Rachael Elston (Justin) Butler, Katie Moore; and nine great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, at Messinger Payson Funeral Home, 901 S. Westerly Road in Payson. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at Messinger Payson Funeral Home, where additional visitation will begin one hour prior. A celebration with friends and family will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, Mimi requested donations to the Christopher-Kohl’s Fire Department at 930 E. Christopher Creek Loop, Payson, AZ 85541. The concluding service and interment will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 11, at Green Acres Memorial Park in Scottsdale. The family extends sincere thanks to Payson Care Center and Hospice of Payson for their outstanding compassion and support in our time of need. Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign an online guest book, visit www.owenslivingstonmortuary.com.