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Public Memorial held for Ann Day

Posted at 3:50 PM, May 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-14 20:26:01-04
Many people were forced to say goodbye to a woman, who they say, will never be forgotten.
 
On Saturday, a public memorial was held to honor Ann Day. Day was a former Pima County Supervisor for 12 years and Arizona State Senator prior to that. She is also the sister of former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
 
Day was killed in a car accident near Oracle and Ina. The driver, Jarrad Barnes, was charged with driving under the influence and manslaughter in that incident. 
 
But, Saturday was about her life and the legacy she is leaving behind here in southern Arizona. 
 
There were rows of chairs set-up at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park at 10:00 a.m. But, while the family sat in the front - dozens of colleagues, friends and members of the community sat and stood in the sun for almost two hours to honor Day. 
 
"This just showed that it was just a melting pot of all different parts of her life," said Day's granddaughter Caitlin Watters.
 
Watters lead the memorial, trying to keep it short and sweet, just the way she said her 'soulmate' - her grandmother - would like it. 
 
Pima County officials put this together in a matter of days, so Supervisor Sharon Bronson said, she was overwhelmed by the show of support.
 
"We did not expect a turn-out of this proportion and I think... Ann touched many lives in special ways and did many good things for the community," Supervisor Bronson explained. "She was often fond of saying 'great communities are no accident. It takes work' and she worked to make this great community and I think her friends showed up to tell her that."
 
Brandi Fenton Memorial Park is also a fitting place for this event, as Day was instrumental in making it a reality for Tucson. 
 
"Tragically, Brandi Fenton was also killed in an auto accident and so, it's fitting, I guess - in a poignant sort of way that we had the memorial service here today for Ann," Supervisor Bronson said.
 
But, to the dozens and dozens of people who showed up on Saturday - Day will not be remembered for how she died, but how she lived to serve those around her. 
 
Supervisor Bronson also announced a more permanent tribute plan for Day. The Pima County Parks and Recreation Commission voted Friday to rename the Northwest Community Park in Day's honor.
 
That vote now goes to the Board of Supervisors, but Supervisor Bronson is pretty confident her colleagues will vote the same way she will.