Mary Todd Fannin

SANTA CLARITA, CA – Born January 28, 1955 to Thomas Newton and Marianne Benjamin Fannin, Mary Todd “Toddy” Fannin died on September 25 in Santa Clarita, CA. Although she lived in California for over 20 years, she always considered Arizona “home” and longed to come back one day. Perhaps because of her lineage – she was the granddaughter of former Arizona Governor and United States Senator Paul Fannin – Toddy was a lifelong Republican who loved following politics and keeping up on current events. Toddy grew up in the Arcadia neighborhood, and attended Hopi Elementary and Arcadia High School. She then ventured off to Dallas where she attended SMU. While she loved her time in Dallas, Toddy was eager to return home to Phoenix, so she could raise her three children near her old stomping grounds. Her outgoing personality, kindness towards others and generous attitude served her well throughout her life as she made new friends wherever she landed. Toddy enjoyed entertaining and spending time with family and friends, and was always much more interested in learning about others than she was in talking about herself. The family would like to thank Guadalupe Elizabeth Miller (“Lupe”) for her caregiving and friendship to Toddy over the past several years. Toddy was preceded in death by her mother, Marianne Benjamin Fannin. She is survived by her three children, Wendy Ward Sellers (Chris), Tommy Ward and Todd Ward, her grandson, Hudson Jude Sellers, and soon to be granddaughter, Holland Katherine Sellers, her father, Tom Fannin, sister Tammy Fannin, cousins Paul (Sharon) and Sheryl Fannin (Mitch Bland) and other extended family members. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at 2:00 pm at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to The Salvation Army, 2707 East Van Buren, Phoenix, AZ 85008.