Westcott Funeral Home

08/04/2025

On an average day, the U.S. Coast Guard conducts search and rescues missions, protects our borders, responds to hazardous spills, and prevents illegal substances from coming into the country. Thank you, Coast Guard, for doing so much to keep us all safe!

08/01/2025

Would you like to learn more about the intricacies of Jewish funeral customs? Check out this informative article about 10 traditional Jewish funeral practices and their role in the grief journey.

Curious about traditional Jewish funeral customs? Check out this informative article about 10 traditions you'll see practice in Judaism.

07/31/2025

Vivian McCrossen

Vivian Cecilia McCrossen past away peacefully on July 30, 2025 in Cottonwood, Arizona. Vivian was born on October 25, 1946 to Arthur and Lucille Newton in Cottonwood, Arizona. She is survived by her daughter April McCrossen and many loving friends.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday August 2, 2025 at Sedona Community Cemetery at 11am.

View Vivian McCrossen's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/28/2025

07/25/2025

While funerals of the past were more cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all style events, that’s not true anymore. Check out this article to learn more about funeral personalization and how it’s changing the way we honor and remember the lives of those we love.

Funerals aren't one-size-fits-all. In fact, funeral personalization is key to creating a meaningful and healing tribute. Click for more!

07/25/2025

Peter "Andy" Groseta

Peter Andrew Groseta passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025 at home with his family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Andy, as he was known, was born September 27, 1950 in Cottonwood, Arizona the oldest son of Peter and Katherine (Maglich) Groseta Jr.

A proud descendant of Croatian heritage he has fond memories with his grandparents Peter and Antonia Groseta Sr. and George and Anna Maglich. Whether stomping grapes for homemade wine or taking turns with cousins to rotate the lamb over a spit he cherished those childhood memories with large Croatian family gatherings. Every night before bed he would say Laku noć (good night in Croatian) to his kids and grandchildren.

Andy took pride in being the third generation in his family to ranch in the Verde Valley. He went to Clemenceau Elementary and in third grade his teacher told him, “Andy go get your Dad’s cows off the front lawn.” His favorite childhood horse was Biscuit. He was one of the last classes to attend Mingus Union High School when it was still in Jerome. FFA and his Ag Teacher were influential in his life and he served as a State FFA Officer his senior year. After graduation in 1968 he headed to the University of Arizona and received his B.S. in Animal Science as well as Agricultural Education in 1972. Upon graduation he became an Ag Teacher at Amphitheater High School and pursued his Master’s Degree in Agricultural Education completing it in 1978. He loved teaching and did so for 8 years but he also began selling ranch real estate in 1978; he made it his full-time work along with managing ranches in 1980 for Western Farm Management. In 1983 he became a partner in Headquarters West and continued to be a premier ranch realtor in Arizona until his passing.

Andy met Mary Beth Meyers when she came to Tucson for a warm winter and thankfully she never returned to Montana. On one of their first dates at the ranch while headed to Prescott they had to pull a cow that was stuck in a mud tank. They wed May 10, 1980 and had three children before moving back to the ranch in Cottonwood in 1986. Together they raised kids and cattle and built a life they were proud of.

Andy had a passion for serving his community and the cattle industry. His awards and accolades are many and include: serving as the President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, President of the Arizona Cattle Grower’s Association, Chair of the Catholic Community Foundation and on the MUHS School Board. He was inducted into the Arizona Farming & Ranching Hall of Fame, has received the ACGA Cattleman of the Year Award and holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Arizona.

Andy believed wholeheartedly in God being first, family a close second and then hard work. Some would even say his “love language” was hard work. He instilled in his children and grandchildren that anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time. Ever the optimist, he lived life with the approach that the glass was always half full. Once an Ag Teacher, always an Ag Teacher he would quiz his children on names of mountains, canyons and washes; in addition, he taught them about the native grasses and plants on the ranch as he rode his favorite horse, Roosevelt. He was never one to shorten a workday, but when his beloved Arizona Wildcats were playing you could find him in his recliner or in McKale cheering them on.

Known as a friend, mentor, leader but most honored to be called Husband, Dad and Grandpa he is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Beth. His three children Paul (Gretchen), Katy (Kelly), Anna (Bass) and eleven grandchildren: Jacob, Dylan, Grace, Peter, Brandy, HB, Katherine, Richard, Basilio, Andy and Perry. He is also survived by his brother George and many loving cousins.

Services to include a Rosary on July 31st at 6 p.m. and Funeral Mass on August 1st at 10 a.m. both at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 700 N. Bill Gray Road Cottonwood, AZ 86326. A lunch reception will follow the Mass and Burial at the Verde Valley Fairgrounds. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Catholic Community Foundation Immaculate Conception Endowment Fund. www.ccfphx.org.

View Peter "Andy" Groseta's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/23/2025

Mary Elmer

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Mary Elmer (Piper) Beloved Mother, GrandMother, Great grandmother, Great Great Grandmother and Auntie. Mary left this world on July 17, 2025 to be with the love of her life Jim Piper. Mary was the mother of 3 wonderful boys, Jerry, Terry and Larry Piper along with her Step children, Laura ( Dolly), Diane, James III, and Jerry, all of whom she loved deeply. Mary was affectionately called Grandma Mary by just about everyone from the neighborhood kids to even her Nieces and Nephews; her smile, her laugh could always light up a room no matter the situation. The loss of such a beautiful person will be felt by many.

View Mary Elmer's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/21/2025

Roza Haywood

Our beloved Rozishka (Roza) Haywood, 86, passed away in Cottonwood on June 29, 2025. She was born December 20, 1938, in Budapest, Hungary. She was raised by her mother during tough times in Budapest. She escaped Budapest, Hungary and came to the United States in 1956. Roza loved America and learning the English language!! She worked in the sales industry and was also a sewing machine operator. She enjoyed many interests and hobbies including: traveling, camping, gardening, going to Las Vegas and she was an avid seamstress. She was a loving, honest, generous person and held to her Catholic faith.

She was proceeded in death by her mother, Godparents and grandson Ladd Konrad, sister-in-law Jeanette Tucker, stepdaughter Laura Devin and stepson Brian Haywood. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Paul Haywood; sons Ladd Konrad (Gina) and George Konrad both of Arizona; daughter Rosemary Rexer (Pat) of Ohio; stepdaughter Linda Scanlon (Brian) of Arizona; sisters Marika and Jutka of Budapest, Hungary; sister-in-law Karen Richards (Don) of Arizona; 5 nieces, 5 nephews, 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held on August 29, 2025, at 2:00pm; reception following the service at Westcott Funeral Home 1013 E. Mingus Ave Cottonwood, AZ 86326

View Roza Haywood's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/18/2025

Music can help us express our feelings in a way words alone often can’t, which is why personalizing the music at a funeral or celebration of life is so important. If your loved one grew up in the 1940s – or just loved 1940s music – here are 10 songs you can incorporate into their service.

Want to incorporate music from the 1940s in your loved one's celebration of life? Check out our list for 10 beautiful options.

07/18/2025

Helen Ann Kerr

Helen Kerr, beloved mother, grandmother, and faithful servant of God, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025, at the age of 87 in Cottonwood, Arizona.

Born on September 22, 1937, in Wanda, Minnesota, Helen grew up with deep-rooted values of faith, family, and hard work. She graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1956 and married the love of her life, Walter Joseph Kerr, on November 7, 1959. Together, they shared a life full of love, laughter, and devotion to each other and their family.

Helen is survived by her three children: Steven Kerr (Jayleen), Colleen Kerr, and Sheila Beeler (Mark); and her cherished grandchildren: Logan and Tyler (Steven), Morgan, Mikey, and Shelby (Colleen), and Brendan and Taylor (Sheila) and 9 Great-Grand Children. Her family was her greatest pride and joy, and she gave each of them unconditional love and steadfast support.

Helen’s life was a testament to faith and service. A devout Catholic, she attended daily Mass, prayed the Rosary faithfully, and joyfully served her parish by working in the church gift store and helping count donations every Monday morning as long as possible. Her love for the Lord was quiet yet powerful, expressed through acts of kindness and a heart full of compassion.

She brought the same spirit of care and diligence to her many roles over the years: from her early days at Woolworths, to co-owning Walt’s Bar, to bookkeeping at the Canyon Dairy Farm. Later, she worked as the Substitute Coordinator for Cottonwood-Oak Creek schools and brought warmth to the Cornville community through her many years at Casey’s Corner.

Helen found joy in life’s simple pleasures—gardening and caring for her lawn, doing word searches, cheering on the Arizona Diamondbacks, and watching game shows. Her vibrant spirit and gentle strength left a mark on everyone who knew her.

Those closest to her will remember Helen for her unwavering kindness, her humble heart of gold, and her selfless nature. She was a loyal listener, a quiet warrior, and a woman who always put others before herself.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Walter, mother, Anna, father, Elmer, sisters Lucy and Martha.

Helen’s legacy is one of love, service, and grace. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

A celebration of Helen’s life will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cottonwood, Arizona on Saturday, August 2nd at 10 AM followed by a burial at the Cottonwood Cemetery and a light lunch at the church hall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

View Helen Ann Kerr's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/17/2025

With any funeral, there are always small expenses that you really can’t purchase in advance – like flowers, death certificates, musician honorariums. While you can’t purchase these cash advance items early, you CAN set aside money to pay for them!

As you put together your advance funeral plans, ask your funeral guide how to prepare for cash advance items, so your family won’t have to pay for them in the future. Go to www.funeralbasics.org/9-funeral-costs-often-overlooked to learn more!