Nellie Plasencio

Nellie Escobedo Plasencio was born in Solomonville, AZ on February 27, 1925, to the late Julio and Petra Escobedo and was one of seven children. Nellie attended grade school in Solomon and graduated from Safford High School in 1943. She would later be the first Hispanic woman to graduate with an Associates Degree in Business from the Gila College, now known as Eastern Arizona College, in 1945. In 1949, Nellie married Mike Plasencio and to this union four children were born. She raised her family in Safford, AZ. Nellie and Mike were very involved in their church. They enjoyed dancing, family gatherings, camping in Alpine and on Mt. Graham, and devoted much of their time to their grandchildren. Nellie was passionate about work and education. At the young age of 17, she began working for the County Attorney Max Layton and worked at the Graham County Courthouse for 12 years. She then began working for Emil Crockett. She referred to him as her favorite employer. She worked for Emil Crockett Insurance Company for 33 years. After retiring from Crockett Insurance, Nellie ran for and was elected to the Office of the Treasurer of Graham County and served three terms. Mike, her children, and grandchildren enjoyed campaigning with her. Nellie was very patriotic and held fast to her Democratic beliefs. She finally retired at the age of 75. Nellie was very proud to be the first Mexican-American elected to that position here in Graham County. Nellie was an active, dedicated member of her community and served in many different capacities. She was a lifetime member of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, a member of The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and was a Cursillista. She was a past member of the Safford School Board, Eastern Arizona Alumni Board and the Graham County Association for Children with Disabilities Board. She was the President of the Democratic Womens Club from 1987-1989 and served on the Foster Care Review Board as a volunteer from 1979-2000. Nellie was also an honorary life member of the DECA and FBLA programs at Safford High School. Staying active was very important to Nellie and she held many dear friendships throughout her lifetime. Nellie is preceded in death by her husband, Mike Plasencio, her parents, Julio and Petra Escobedo, her sister Romana Forsyth, her brother Julio Escobedo Jr., and her baby sister Socorro. She is survived by her four children, Joe Plasencio of Safford, Mikki Farley, Lisa Montgomery (Jeff), and Jim Plasencio all of Phoenix. She was a proud grandmother of six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She was expecting her first great great grandchild in May. Nellie will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Her wisdom, strength, dedication, love, and compassion will forever remain in her familys hearts. Viewing will be from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, November 7, 2014 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Mass of a Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, with Rev. Father Robert Rodriguez as celebrant. In Lieu of flowers, family suggests donations be made to one of the following organizations that were very important to Nellie: Alzheimers Association, Parkinsons disease Association, Mt. Graham Hospice, Graham County Association of Children with Disabilities in Safford, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Daughters of the Americas or St. Rose of Lima Messengers of Mary.