Mercedes Munoz On Sept. 6, 2021, at the age of 87, Mercedes “Mercy” Munoz of Mesa, passed away peacefully in her sleep. Mercy was born at home in Claypool to Catalina (Medina) and Pedro Sendejas on Sept. 24, 1933. Mercy attended NAU in Flagstaff and graduated in 1958 with a BS in Elementary Education. She later earned her Master’s in Education as a tribute to her father. After teaching in Phoenix, she married Antonio Munoz Jr. in 1961, and they moved to teach in Ft. Defiance. In 1964, the family moved to Holbrook where Mercy continued her career in education. For over 30 years she taught first grade and her fondest memories were of teaching children to read and write. After retirement in 2004, she moved to Mesa to be closer to many of her grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren loved the quality time she spent with them. Her greatest love was to serve God and her family. We carry her in our hearts. Husband Antonio Munoz Jr., sister Olympia Sendejas and daughter-in-law Jennifer Jovaag Munoz, preceded her in death. She is survived by siblings, Mary Oviedo, Consuelo Sierra and Pete Sendejas; her four children, Kathy Munoz, Debra (Gary) Valeriani, Cheryl (Tim) Kammerer and Mark (Tiffany) Munoz; her dear grandchildren, Michael and Marc Valeriani, Rylan and Aliya Kammerer, Antonio, Christian, Isabelle and Grayson Munoz, and Demarius Randolph, Maliyah Baker and McCoy Partner. Funeral services will be scheduled at a later date. Mercy’s message is to “Be happy and enjoy your life. Mine was happy and will be happier in heaven.” Messinger Mortuary of Scottsdale handled the arrangements.
