Marcelina Begay

Marcelina Cody Begay has returned to her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at the IHS Hospital in Whiteriver, Navajo County, Arizona following a short illness. She was 81 years old. A beautiful Christmas gift, Marcelina Begay was born on December 25, 1932 to her parents, the late Ernest Cody (of the White Reed People Clan) and Winifred Naneday (Kasey) Cody (of the Lyaa'aiye Clan {Eagle Clan})in Carizzo, Arizona. While still a little girl, Marcelina's mother passed away. Her father later married her step-mother, Elizabeth Enfield Cody. Marcelina was raised in Carrizo by her mother's family and had the opportunity to live with several relatives until she went away to school. She attended school in Fort Apache until the age of 14. After leaving school, Marcelina began a long work history in the service industry, including: being a nanny, waitress, motel maid, dish washer and others. She lived her life providing service to all she knew and loved. She was a hard worker and very meticulous in the work assignments with which she was given. Marcelina was also a very friendly and outgoing lady and always greeted others with a warm and gentle smile. She was loved and appreciated a great deal by those with whom she worked and served. Marcelina was able to retire in 1996, after 50 years of dedicated service to her patrons. As a young woman, Marcelina met her true love and eternal companion, Anselm Begay, Sr. while working in Holbrook. She married Anselm and soon began her life with him, not only as a wife, but as a mother too. The couple were blessed with 5 healthy children: LaPriel, Lena, Rosy, Anselm Jr. (Sonny) and Andy. She raised her family in the beauty of the White Mountains of Arizona. Marcelina always appreciated the simple, beautiful things of life and loved to laugh and smile. She always had a friendly "Hello" to everyone she met. She made friends easily, wherever she went. Marcelina had many interests and talents that she willingly shared with her family and friends. She was an active and dedicated faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in various callings within the Church for many, many years. Marcelina could ALWAYS be found supporting her friends and family during times of celebration and times of sorrow. Too, Marcelina enjoyed traveling to various places but, she was never gone for too long from her beloved White Mountains. She has traveled to San Francisco, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Utah and all the other states in between. She especially loved to go to Disneyland with her grandkids! Marcelina has touched the lives of so many with her friendship and love and everyone will miss her kind and gentle ways, however, none will miss her more than her own family. She survived by her children: LaPriel Begay of Blanding, Utah, Lena Marsha Rodriguez of St. Petersburg, Florida, Rosy Ann Parra of Gilbert, Arizona, Andy Arnold Begay of Mesa, Arizona; 23 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren; step-mother, Elizabeth Cody; half-siblings: Ernestine Cody, Faye Cody, Jeff Cody, Patrick Cody, Bill Cody, Kit Cody and by a god-daughter, Christie Burnette. Along with her parents, Marcelina was preceded in death by her sweet husband, Anselm Begay, Sr.; 4 grandchildren: Kevin Nakai, Stuart Lee Shaw, Urbano Rodriguez, Jr., Winifred Nicole Begay; god-daughter, Vickie Bonito (daughter of Melissa and the late Randall Bonito) as well as her son, Anselm "Sonny" Begay, Jr. who died just the day before Marcelina. A combined one night wake, for Marcelina and her son, Sonny, was held 1:00PM Sunday March 23, 2014 at the home they shared together in Seven Mile. Funeral services for both Marcelina and Sonny, will be held 11:00AM Monday, March 24, 2014 at the Downtown Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 300 N. 11th St., Show Low with additional visitation one hour prior to services. The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the family plot in Carrizo, Arizona where she will be laid to rest along side her forever sweetheart, Anselm. The Begay family is thankful for all of the expressions of sympathy they have received during this difficult season and are especially grateful for all of the prayers that have been offered up on their behalf.