Wanda Bradshaw-Risdon

Wanda Bradshaw-Risdon, 87 of Cottonwood, AZ died Tuesday July 8, 2014. Wanda was born in Parnasus, PA on July 14, 1926. Her family later moved to Oklahoma and Wanda graduated in 1944 from Henryetta High School. Wanda joined the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps due to WWII and attended St. Johns School of Nursing in Tulsa, OK. Wanda\u0027s first job was at the VA Hospital in Pass Christian, MS. 1949 Wanda moved to Denver Colorado and later met James Bradshaw at Denver University while attending a nurses meeting, and they later married in 1951. Wanda and Jim had two children: Clarissa and Doyle; Wanda skillfully balanced being a wife, a loving mother, and a registered-nurse in Colorado, New Zealand, Idaho, Arkansas and California. James Bradshaw preceded her in death December 1980. Wanda remarried an old family friend Keith Risdon in 1984, they lived in Palm Desert and Wanda continued to work as a nurse eventually retiring from Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, CA. Wanda and Keith Risdon moved to Cottonwood, AZ in 1991 they were both active in the community; Keith Risdon preceded her in death April 1998. Wanda\u0027s brother, William Sturdevant (Buddy) preceded her in death December 2006. Wanda had a sweet tooth, she enjoyed cooking, cherry pies (a family favorite) and cookies; she kept a candy drawer for herself. Wanda enjoyed antiquing, reading; she had a good sense of humor and made friends easily. Wanda is survived by her daughter Clarissa Thomas and husband Lee of Columbia, MD; her son Doyle Bradshaw and his wife Beverly of Hoopa, CA; her step-son Scott Risdon and his wife Debbie of Omaha, NE; her half-sisters Sarah Hodgens of Tulsa, OK and Judy Mains of Guymon, OK; 5 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, 3 nieces, and 3 nephews. Wanda did not want a public service; her children are honoring her wish and will have a family ceremony later. Memorial donation suggestions: Mountain View United Methodist Church 901 South 12th Street Cottonwood, AZ 86326 /Telephone: (928) 634-8857 Wanda\u0027s favorite charity: Heifer International http://www.heifer.org/ Heifer International\u0027s mission is to help end world hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth. An online guestbook is available to sign at www.westcottfuneralhome.com