Louise Serpa Tucson, Arizona Obituary

Louise Serpa

Famed photographer, Louise Serpa 86, died January 5, 2012 at her home in Tucson after a three year battle with cancer. She was an icon in the rodeo arena for nearly 50 years. She was the first woman allowed to photograph from inside the professional rodeo arena later receiving recognition for "Best Action Photo" in 1982 and "Photographer of the Year" in 2005 by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. She was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1999 and received the Tad Lucas Memorial Award for Western Heritage from the Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2002. Honored in 2006, Louise was the first Grand Marshal to ride a horse in the Tucson, La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo Parade. Born in New York December 15, 1925, graduated from Vassar College in 1943, she majored in music but fell in love with the West and began her photography career in 1960. Louise will be remembered most for her incredible generosity, endearing interest in others, her uncanny ability to speak her mind and a strong spirit to laugh and sing louder than anyone. Her archives have been donated to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. She is survived by her daughters, Lauren Serpa and Mia Larocque; grandson, Taylor Grammar, all of Tucson; her sisters, Wendy Donahue of Rhode Island and Anne Browne of Washington. Louise and daughter, Mia have a current exhibit of their rodeo photography at the Tucson Airport Authority gallery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that a charitable donation be made to the Tucson Rodeo Committee/UofA Scholarship Fund. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.
January 5, 201201/05/2012
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Obituary

Famed photographer, Louise Serpa 86, died January 5, 2012 at her home in Tucson after a three year battle with cancer. She was an icon in the rodeo arena for nearly 50 years. She was the first woman allowed to photograph from inside the professional rodeo arena later receiving recognition for "Best Action Photo" in 1982 and "Photographer of the Year" in 2005 by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. She was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1999 and received the Tad Lucas Memorial Award for Western Heritage from the Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2002. Honored in 2006, Louise was the first Grand Marshal to ride a horse in the Tucson, La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo Parade. Born in New York December 15, 1925, graduated from Vassar College in 1943, she majored in music but fell in love with the West and began her photography career in 1960. Louise will be remembered most for her incredible generosity, endearing interest in others, her uncanny ability to speak her mind and a strong spirit to laugh and sing louder than anyone. Her archives have been donated to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. She is survived by her daughters, Lauren Serpa and Mia Larocque; grandson, Taylor Grammar, all of Tucson; her sisters, Wendy Donahue of Rhode Island and Anne Browne of Washington. Louise and daughter, Mia have a current exhibit of their rodeo photography at the Tucson Airport Authority gallery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that a charitable donation be made to the Tucson Rodeo Committee/UofA Scholarship Fund. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.

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