Tharon Tenney

It is with great sadness that the family of Tharon [Johnson] Tenney announce her passing on Friday, January 1, 2021, surrounded by her loving husband and family, at the age of 71 years old.

Tharon will be lovingly remembered by her high school sweetheart and husband of 52 years, Harold, and her children, Kent [Charisse], Stacey, Brian [Candice], Melissa [Evan Neill], and Emily [Jeremy Beardall]. Tharon will also be fondly remembered by her twelve adoring grandchildren, Ashley, Kyle, Kaitlyn, Dylan, Todd, Sariah, Lyrisa, Ayden, Logan, Ethan, Bennett, and Brooke, as well as her siblings, friends, and extended family.

Tharon, born in Prescott Arizona, was the third of seven children, born to James Gerald Johnson Jr. and Cleotha Helen Coombs. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Gerald [Dorothy], and survived by her siblings, Steven [Jo], Kevin [Debbie], Dennis [Robin], Becky Reed Adams [Rodney Adams], and Trish Talbott.

As a Mesa High School Jackrabbit, Tharon participated in the marching, twirling, and roping cheer group known as the Rabbettes. After graduating from Mesa High School in the class of ’67, Tharon spent her life working with children. In addition to raising her own five children, she provided daycare in her home, and worked as both an instructional aide and elementary school teacher in Mesa public and charter school systems. She loved making a difference in the lives of the students that she taught, and worked hard in and out of the classroom for them.

Tharon loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed endlessly reading book after book when time permitted. Although she wasn’t very musically inclined, she loved having music playing in the house and made it a point to have all of her children and grandchildren take music lessons. Family night was always spent playing games for hours around the kitchen table. She was a great listener and mediator, and her listening ear will be greatly missed by many.

An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her life, Tharon’s sensible counsel, clever ideas, and faithful service were appreciated as she served in the children’s Primary organization and Young Women’s organization. Some of her best friends were made while immersed in the Lord’s work.

While the lack of her physical presence on this earth will surely be felt, we find solace in the knowledge that, in time, we will be reunited as a family and will continue to strengthen the relationships that we had here on earth.

A Celebration of Tharon’s life will be held at 10 am, on Saturday, January 9, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Monument Ward Building, 830 East Lehi Road Mesa, AZ 85203. A viewing will be held the night before from 6-8 pm, at Bunker Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201. Following local restrictions, face coverings must be worn at all times. For those attending services virtually, please join the following zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85602223420

Tharon was a lover of books and a teacher who wanted to foster a love of reading in others. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to Kids Need to Read at https://www.kidsneedtoread.org/give_books.html “in memory of Mrs. Tenney” or drop off new or gently used books to your nearest elementary school.