Mildred Carolyn Wharton

Mildred Carolyn Wharton, age 104, died at peace and from natural causes on June 19, 2013, at Emeritus at Pantano Assisted Living, kept in good company in her final hours by all the caring staff, Heartland Hospice, and her family. Mildred was born in Chicago, Ill. of Swedish immigrants on May 9, 1909, and moved to Tucson in 1926 in search of a warmer climate that was touted as beneficial to victims of TB...a disease that had decimated her family. During this period she graduated from the U of A in English, met and later married William "Bill" Wharton, a young pilot who taught flying for the U. For awhile they homesteaded in the Tucson Mountains embracing the primitive life style, taming wild horses, toting buckets of spring water, etc. This was all traded in for a quest for flying jobs all over the West, and the birth of three children: Ann (Dr. James Stokes) of Tucson, John of San Francisco, and Sarah (Philip White) of Taos, N.M. Their years were filled with many moves, and adventures in Mexico. Bill changed course and became a physician in 1950, and Tucson then became their final home…or home base, as they continued exploring and traveling as much as time and money allowed. Mildred had many talents: painting, sculpting, house design (there are 13 of her homes in and around Tucson), and writing. She loved books and language and, most of all, her animals. She was always a lady, admired and respected by family and friends. A true and extraordinary individual whose influence will be remembered by the three generations she leaves behind. These include four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. As one good friend put it: "Mildred leaves the world a more beautiful place." Mildred requested that there be no services or funerals or flowers. Rather, a donation in her name to the Humane Society would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.