“Kindness is the currency of heaven.”
LaDawn Menlove (Resendez) Escobar passed away peacefully in the afternoon of April 30, 2015 surrounded by her family. Over the past year she cheerfully and courageously battled breast cancer, which took her life at the age of 47. LaDawn was honored to be called “Mom” by Mallorie, Ty, Papi, and Seth and “Aya” by her granddaughters Gemma and Capri.
LaDawn was born on July 12, 1967 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was married to Rodolfo Resendez, Jr. from 1986 to 2011, with whom she had four children. She married Oscar Escobar on December 21, 2013.
She was a member of the LDS church her whole life, and faithfully served in many roles big and small. She had a special love for the Young Women program and temple work. Her life took her on many adventures, including time spent living in Minnesota, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Costa Rica, and the Philippines.
In 2014 she graduated from Grand Canyon University with Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and she worked for a short time as registered nurse at Banner Baywood Medical Center, which gave her great joy.
LaDawn’s lifelong dream of becoming a nurse was achieved in spite of hard personal circumstances and chemotherapy, and she faced all adversity with optimism and positivity. She had a strong personal relationship with Christ, and it brought her great strength. She was a selfless mother, and invested her time and energy into her children, including two who are still very young.
LaDawn is survived by her husband, Oscar Escobar; her children: Mallorie (Brock) Resendez Bassetti, Tyler (Katherine) Resendez, Quinn “Papi” Resendez, and Seth Resendez; her stepson Diego Escobar; her granddaughters: Gemma, Capri and Cora Bassetti; her parents Donald Menlove and Twyla Menlove; her two brothers, David (Cathi) Menlove, Don “D” (Stacy) Johnson; and Richard and Stella Ponce, Becky (Don) Jones and Joy (Donn) Chytraus. She is preceded in death by her grandparents Cleon and Ida Menlove.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a scholarship fund in her memory that will benefit future nurses. Details can be found at http://www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/ladawn-escobar-memorial-scholarship/348913.
A viewing will be held Saturday, May 9 at 9:00 a.m. at the LDS Stake Center (21320 South Greenfield Road, Gilbert, AZ 85928). The funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the same location. Her interment will follow at San Tan Memorial Gardens (22425 E. Cloud Rd., Queen Creek, AZ 85142). LaDawn requested that bright colors be worn to this celebration of her life.
Her family would like to thank her community of friends who have provided immeasurable support and lifted her spirits throughout her life.