Maureen Jill “MJ” Harvel went to our Lord on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 in Sierra Vista, Ariz., after a short battle with cancer. She followed her husband, Jimmy, who passed away on February 25, 2013 in Cochise County, Ariz.

Maureen was born in Independence, Iowa, on July 9, 1953, the second daughter of Marlin and Jeri Sullivan. She graduated from Decorah High School in 1971 and went to Marycrest College in Dubuque, Iowa. She graduated from Luther College in 1975 with a double major in History and Politics and certification in Secondary Education. She later obtained a second B.A. in Elementary Education in 1978.

Maureen taught at both elementary and secondary levels in Iowa and Nebraska. She taught preschool in both Iowa and Arizona. She also worked as a nanny, cashier, and in a print shop and motel. However, her last job was “the best job she ever had” as a Library Director for the city of Tombstone. She had truly found a job to love in this position. She enjoyed being involved in the community and working with both residents and tourists to best utilize the library facilities. She was embracing the technology advancements that the library was employing and enjoyed working with the Friends of the Library and the other City Employees of Tombstone. She also was very proud of her part-time staff, Mary and Roberta.

She was an avid reader, loved to cook, collected snow globes and enjoyed spending time with friends. Maureen’s cancer was discovered during the time that her husband was experiencing medical complications. Throughout all of his trials, she was concerned first about his condition and secondarily her own. This was typical of her caring and nurturing nature.

Maureen was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Ray, her parents, Marlin and Jeri Sullivan, and her brother-in-law, Walter Carolan.

She is survived by one sister, Vallori Carolan or Missouri Valley, Iowa, and one brother Patrick Sullivan and wife, Pam, of Decorah, Iowa. She is survived by four nieces and nephews: Stacy Carolan (Lauren) of Rochester, N.Y.; Samantha Sullivan and fiancé Chris Ellis of Ossian, Iowa; Jessica Sullivan and fiancé Travis Uhlenhake of Spillville, Iowa, and Nick Sullivan of Decorah. She is also survived by Liam Carolan, great-nephew and Zoey Ellis, great-niece. Jimmy is survived by his sisters and brother, Sue Boris, Joe Harvel, Connie Freeman, and nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the people of Tombstone for their kindness during these past months, especially Velma and Richard Graham, Bonnie Williams, and the city employees.