Tribute to Joan

It was a send-off befitting her status as an honorary firefighter, mayor and Navy veteran.

The memorial service for former Surprise Mayor Joan Shafer, on the field at Surprise Stadium, was full of the pageantry, honors and tributes that acknowledged her accomplishments for both the city of Surprise and firefighters of Arizona.

Shafer died April 14 at the age of 80.

For a photo gallery from Friday's memorial service click here.

She was Surprise's first elected mayor and first woman on the city council.

She brought Major League Baseball to the city with the building of Surprise Stadium, but she considered the construction of DreamCatcher Park, an all-accessible sports facility for children, one of her proudest achievements.

The service began with a presentation of colors by an honor guard of the city's police and fire departments and a performance by pipe and drums groups.

Dozens of firefighters from across the Valley lined the base paths of the stadium.

Tim Hill, of the Professional Firefighters of Arizona, spoke about Shafer's dedication to firefighters across the state by rallying to get the "presumptive cancer" state bill in 2001 which extended worker's compensation coverage of certain cancers and diseases.

Shafer's husband, Richard, was a 21-year veteran of the Phoenix fire department who died of lung cancer.

"She never let adversity stop her from doing for others," Hill said.

Surprise Mayor Lyn Truitt, Vice Mayor Roy Villanueva, Maricopa County Justice Court Judge and former Peoria Mayor John Keegan, and long-time City Clerk Sherry Aguilar all gave tributes to the former mayor, who chose not to run for re-election in 2007.

Mark Coronado, Surprise community and recreation services director, gave a heartfelt tribute that featured Shafer's empty chair next to the stage. He spoke about how she would sit in her chair during spring training games near the lobby of Surprise Stadium and chat with residents, and often stir up problems for Coronado and stadium manager Jim Mallon, criticizing the cold hot dogs, Hooters girls, and traffic on Bell Road.

"She was an icon," Coronado said. "I'll miss her because she actually, really loved this place."

Andrea Lewis, Shafer's granddaughter, flew in from Las Vegas Thursday night for the memorial service. She was pleased with the tributes given by city officials on the field at Surprise Stadium.

"This was her other life, because she loved the city like her own family, and everyone knew it," said Lewis. "She would be very pleased with how they honored her today in this beautiful service."

Maryanne and Bill Leasure, Sun City West residents who volunteer as Surprise Sundancers, said they'll miss Shafer. The Sundancers are dedicated to raising funds for local charities and helping at the stadium.

"Two weeks before she died, Joan had just brought in a check for $500 to the Sundancers," said Maryanne Leasure. "I couldn't imagine being an 80-year-old woman and still being as active as she was."

Floyd Richmond attended the memorial service to pay his respects to Shafer, whom he met when he and his wife, Bette, moved to Arizona Traditions in 1998 from Glendale.

"When we first got here, I remember the stadium not being here at all," he said. "It was a field, but look around at everything now and you'll see the impact she's made here and around the city."

Richmond said he is satisfied with the progress Shafer made during her tenure.

"I look around sometimes and think about how and the heck she pulled all of this off," he said. "She was a tough lady with great influence in this town, even though she wasn't always right."

Bill Pupo, former Surprise city manager said he was pleased with the memorial service.

"I had to come back and honor her memory," he said. "It was important to be here, and I'm sure she's very happy with what took place today."

Surprise firefighter Renee Hamblin - the department's first female captain - spoke about Shafer's influence on her career.

"She was our mentor, mother and grandmother," Hamblin said. "She always had her door open to talk or cry."