Carolyn Ellsworth Schnepf

Carolyn Ellsworth Schnepf

Elda Carolyn Ellsworth Schnepf, age 89, passed away on August 16, 2022.  During her

later

years, she predicted her cause of death would be TMB (“too many birthdays”), which

proved to be the case

.  She was born July 3, 1933 in Mesa, Arizona to Donald and Margaret Ellsworth.

Carolyn grew up in Queen Creek, Arizona, where she attended Queen Creek Elementary and then Chandler High School, where she enjoyed being a cheerleader.   At an early age, she and five of her first cousins, formed an a cappella singing group called the “Singing Cousins”.  For 10 years they sang at many events around the Valley and made appearances on local radio and TV.

She married Max K. Schnepf on May 15, 1950 in the Mesa Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They lived and farmed in Queen Creek, where they started their family.  During the years that followed, Carolyn became a pilot and, with Max, enjoyed membership in the Arizona Flying Farmers, making lifelong friends with farmer/pilots throughout Arizona and the entire United States.

In addition to being a wonderful mother to five children, she had many talents.  She loved singing, playing the piano, directing the church choir, and even tried her had at music composition.  She had perfect pitch, which at times was more of a curse than a blessing!  Additionally, she enjoyed flower gardening and flower arranging, oil painting, and interior decorating.

Carolyn was an entrepreneur at heart.  She co-owned a wedding catering business, sold real estate, and eventually became a real estate appraiser.  She and Max traveled extensively throughout rural Arizona appraising farms and ranches, which they were uniquely qualified for.

She was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as a leader in the Relief Society and Young Women’s organizations of the Church.  She especially loved organizing and attending church girls’ camp in the Arizona mountains for many years.  She also served as a member of the Chandler Interfaith Council, representing the LDS community and supporting all faiths in the Chandler area.

Carolyn’s greatest love was her family.  She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Max, and three siblings Delos Ellsworth, Robert Ellsworth, and

Juna

Ellsworth Griffiths.  She is survived by

sister, Margaret Ann Schnepf and

five children, Marlane (Don) Porter, Larry (Terry) Schnepf, Cara (Mike) Steiner, Doug (Saundra) Schnepf, and Liz (Steve)

Porter;  31

grandchildren, 95 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.

The viewing will be Friday, August 26, 6-8 pm at

Bueler

Mortuary, 14 W.

Hulet

Dr., Chandler, Arizona.  A funeral will be held Saturday, August 27

th

at 10:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1415 E. Southern Ave., Mesa, Arizona.  Viewing at the church prior to the funeral will be held from 9:00 – 9:45 am.  Burial will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.