Zona Lee Schafer passed away on March 29, 2021 of natural causes in Mesa, AZ. She was 92 years old. She was born on May 7th, 1928 in Aztec, New Mexico and grew up with younger brother Harold in Colorado where the family raised sheep. Colorado would remain a favorite place to return to for family summer vacations. Zona and her family moved to California where she attended Vallejo High School in the San Francisco bay area. She began her college studies and University of California, Berkeley and received her degree in Home Economics at the University of California, Davis.
Zona met her husband, Bill, at a dance class in Antioch, CA. On December 20, 1953, Zona and Bill were married at the Mare Island chapel in Vallejo, CA. Zona and Bill celebrated 66 years of marriage. They moved to Hawaii in the 1950’s and really enjoyed everything the tropical state had to offer. Early on, in Hawaii, Zona spent a lot of time at the beach collecting shells and glass balls (adrift from Japanese fishing nets). She then started raising two children, Jim and Mary, teaching Home Economics and playing golf. From Hawaii, the family moved to Arizona, first to cowboy country Wickenburg and then Mesa. There, Zona did more teaching and got involved with many volunteer projects and organizations. She was an active member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) advocating for women and girls and supporting scholarships. She was especially involved in the Mesa East Lions Club and served as Secretary & Treasurer. Zona also enjoyed many activities including crafts, sewing, quilting, golf, square dancing, and cooking. Zona was an avid reader. She enjoyed travelling, especially to Wickenburg, Hawaii, Colorado and Wisconsin to spend time with family and friends.
Zona had two children, two granddaughters, and 4 great grandsons. She is survived by her son Jim (Kim), daughter Mary (Mike), granddaughter Sarah, grandson-in-law Kevin, and great grandsons (Wyatt, Tel, Blaine and Coy). Zona was preceded in death by her parents, Dewey and Lucille Simmons, her husband Bill, her brother Harold Simmons, her sisters-in-law Mary Jean Dulon and Betty Anderson, and her granddaughter Amber Grantham.
A private Mass for Zona Schafer will be held at 10 am, April 14th at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, 1730 W. Guadalupe Road, Mesa, AZ. A commitment ceremony will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Services will be immediate family only; extended family and friends may participate via video streaming. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Lions Club International or American Association of University Women (AAUW).
The family wishes to thank the staff at Aegis/Atlas Hospice, Emerald Glen Memory Care Plus for their compassionate care.