Cornelia Paul Kazal, (Connie) passed away at home in Tucson AZ on January 10, 2013 at age 79.

Connie is survived by her loving husband and partner of 47 years, Al (Tubby) Kazal; son, Zachary of Buffalo WY; son, Albert, Tucson AZ; daughter, Malaki of Wickenburg AZ; and sisters, Barbara Chrisman of Visalia CA; and Wendy Glenn of Douglas AZ. Connie was born and raised in Paul Spur, 10 miles west of Douglas, AZ, a community named for her grandfather. Her parents, Alfred and Virginia Paul, and sister Sarah Paul Herr, predeceased her.

Connie earned a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Arizona. She taught school in Arizona and traveled with her husband, Al, who was engaged in heavy construction supervising the building of roads, bridges and runways around the country. During this time she earned a pilot’s license and sometimes flew to wherever he was working. In the early-90s, Connie and Al retired to their beloved Picture Rocks Miniature Horse Ranch west of Tucson. There they conducted daily tours for individuals, families, schools, churches, disabled veterans, handicapped and special needs children showing off their 30 or more colorful miniature horses, some 25 Nigerian spotted goats and hundreds of bantie chickens. For many visitors, this was their first exposure to ranch animals and Connie endeavored to make it a special experience that they would long remember particularly the youngsters. Fluent in Spanish, she welcomed all nationalities. Connie contributed to many worthy organizations and was an outstanding writer and content editor. She served 10 years on the board of directors of the Society of Southwestern Authors and was past president of the Tucson Chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters. She wrote the popular children’s book, Preposition the Kitten. In her mid-life she wrote gag lines for Phyllis Diller, articles for Southwest Art, Cat’s, Bridle and Bit, Rio Grande Livestock Journal, Outdoor Life, The Douglas Dispatch, The Tombstone Epitaph and The New York Times.

Connie was a gregarious person who loved people and constantly made new friends. Her love of animals was unmatched—they always came first. She will be sorely missed by those of us whose lives she touched with her thoughtfulness, her generosity and her love.

There will be a private family memorial later in 2013.