Lee Ann Conner

Lee Ann Cuzzocrea Maggiore Conner

1933 –  2022

Si e spento serenamente oggi …

She has serenely gone out like a candle today.

Lee Ann Cuzzocrea Maggiore Conner (April 1, 1933 –

November 9, 2022) lived a beautiful, dignified life. A discerning

woman of exquisite taste, Lee provided comfort and solace

while asking little in return.

Lee was born on April Fool’s Day to Lorenza and Dominic

Cuzzocrea in Detroit, Michigan. She was the apple of her

father’s eye, being the sixth and youngest child of this loving,

devout Italian immigrant family. Lee was an entrepreneur

early in life, supporting her family both financially and

spiritually. Very popular and successful throughout high

school, Lee and her parents relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in

the early 1950’s.

During a successful initial career in banking, Lee met and

married the father of her children, Hon. Vincent D. Maggiore

(deceased 1991), in 1955. Lee retired from banking thereafter

and tirelessly campaigned for her husband as he ran for

Maricopa County Attorney and head of the County Democrat

Party. A fashion model and philanthropist, she subsequently

became a licensed Realtor and then successful Broker, working

with Orme Ellis, Russ Lyon, and other prominent Arizona

Realtors. Lee and Vincent divorced in 1973.

In 1976, Lee fell in love and married her soulmate, husband

W.C. (“Bill”) Conner of Sigourney, Iowa. Lee and Bill

relocated to Sigourney where they shared a passion for travel,

gardening, crossword puzzles, anything and everything Italian,

and cooking. Lee and Bill became expert chefs, studying with

Jacques Pepin, among other renowned culinary professionals.

Lee also became an avid University of Iowa Hawkeye fan,

begrudgingly foregoing her previous loyalty to fellow Big 10

rival Michigan Wolverines. Lee and Bill returned to Arizona in

1984.

After Bill’s passing in 1994, Lee yet again immersed herself in

philanthropy and service. She became a Mayo Clinic volunteer,

rising through those ranks to become an invaluable asset to the

entire Mayo health system. Lee also dedicated much time and

resources to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Phoenix, St.

Joseph’s Catholic Church of Phoenix, and the Arizona

Humane Society. Lee was a champion of dogs all over the

world and rescued many throughout her lifetime.

Nothing brought Lee more joy than knowing her children were

happy and safe. She was very grateful to know her children

had excellent partners. To her daughter, Lee leaves her

determination, pride, and good taste. To her son, Lee leaves

her sardonic wit and disdain for authority. To both, Lee leaves

her enduring love.

Lee was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters

Catherine Cuzzocrea and Lucy Cuzzocrea Godsey, brothers

Anthony Cuzzocrea, Frank Cuzzocrea, and Vincent (James)

Cuzzocrea, and nephew Dominic D. Cuzzocrea. Lee leaves

behind her daughter Lisa Maggiore Conner Aquilina and her

husband Drew of Merrimack, New Hampshire, and her son

Vincent Michael Maggiore and his wife Sharlotte of Santa Fe,

New Mexico; nephews Frank Cuzzo, John Cuzzocrea, Carl

Byland, and Lawrence Cuzzocrea; nieces Lynda Mosely,

Antoinette Robinson, Anna Lacy, Kim Litt, Mary Cuzzocrea,

and Laurine Ballot; stepchildren Linda Erkamaa, Michael

Conner, Patrick Conner, Robert Conner, and James Conner;

step-grandchildren Mikko, Matti, Nicole, Nathan, Sarah, Sean,

Clell, Kira, Doug, Angie, Jennifer, and Laurel; grand-dogs

Stormy and Highway; and, a host of great and great-grand

nieces and nephews, step great-grandchildren, cousins, and

long-time friends and colleagues across America and Italy.

A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at 1:30pm on

Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at Our Lady of The Angels,

5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253, followed by a

private committal service at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery,

2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in the name of Lee A. Conner

to the Arizona Humane Society

https://www.azhumane.org/more-ways-to-give/

or The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Phoenix

https://www.stvincentdepaul.net/give/donate .

Condolences may be expressed at

www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com .