Cecilia Gross

Cecilia Gross, 75, passed away peacefully at her home on June 5. She spent her last days surrounded by her loving family. Although she had been battling a chronic illness, her passing was sudden and unexpected and much too soon.

Born in 1943 in Lynch, Kentucky, Cecilia married a fellow Kentuckian, Jimmie Gordon. Their 54 year marriage included lots of world travel. Travel was Cecilia’s passion. Early life saw her living in Europe in support of Jimmie’s military assignment. Most recently, her travel passion was satisfied by hitting the high seas on cruise ships, often times accompanied by her grandchildren.

The last military assignment for Jimmie was Ft. Huachuca and together, Jimmie and Cecilia decided to make Sierra Vista their permanent home. The 44 years spent in Sierra Vista allowed Cecilia to leave a positive mark on the community. She touched many lives in her more than 30 years teaching on Ft. Huachuca and will long be remembered for her creative and adventurous field trips to Coronado National Monument and San Diego, California.

She was the first Coordinator of the Gifted and Talented program for the Ft. Huachuca Accommodation Schools. Cecilia was also involved in scouting and local sports as she supported her kids in their activities as they grew. Most recently, Cecilia’s community activities have revolved around the church. Family was the cornerstone of Cecilia’s existence.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Anastasio and Lottie (Miller) Camacho, her brother Anastasio “Sonny” Camacho Jr. and her sister Kathleen Ward. She is survived by her spouse of 54 years Jimmie, her three children Teresa (James) Abernethy of Phoenix, James (Mary Oatman) Gross of Las Vegas and Tom (Sierra) Gross of Sierra Vista, sister Mary Sturgill of Columbus, Indiana; brothers, Marcus (Linda) Camacho of Crittenden, Kentucky, and Tom Camacho of Hamilton, Ohio; She is also survived by 8 grandchildren – Colin, Erin, Christina, Connor, Keegan, Maggie, Kyla and Bria.

The family is very grateful for the wonderful care Cecilia received at the Sierra Vista Life Care Center, Fr. Greg Adolf and St. Andrew the Apostle Church, Canyon Vista Community Hospital, and at home with Casa de la Paz Hospice.

A funeral will be held at St. Andrew's Church in Sierra Vista on June 14. The rosary will be at 9:30 followed by the funeral mass at 10:00. She will be laid to rest immediately following the mass at Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista. There will be a celebration of her life at Madonna Hall following.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to one of Cecilia’s favorite charities: St. Vincent De Paul Food Bank, St. Andrew Catholic Church, or Tombstone High School JROTC

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