I have read so many good books lately I couldn’t decide which one to review. It was a toss up between “The Obituary Writer,” by Ann Hood and “The Secret Keeper,” by Kate Norton (I don’t know about you but any title that contains the word “secret” draws me like a magnet — maybe it was that early Nancy Drew conditioning).

The worn boxing gloves and yellowed punching bags tell only part of the story.

Media outlets have prepared obituaries for famous people getting up in age so when the time comes a few simple blanks can be filled in and the obit can be released in a timely fashion.

You may have already noticed this, but the print version of the Ahwatukee Foothills News has undergone some changes over the past few months.

Over the course of her life and career Pam Olsson was known for her ability to inspire others.

Kevin Lee Nance was born Dec. 6, 1953, the sixth of eight children.

Joseph "Joe" LeChaix was born Dec. 6, 1918, and died Aug. 8, 2010. He was the beloved husband of Barbara (nee Bennett); devoted father of Thomas (Diane), Mame (Frank) Staniszewski, Debbie (Mark) Stull, Barb Pesek and Mike; loving grandfather of Frank, Zak (Margaret), Callie, Anne, Susan, Daniel, Christopher, Cassie, David and Greg; and loving uncle of JoAnn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Eunice (nee Thomas), his first wife Betty Anne (nee Bowersock) and his sister, Miriam.

Ahwatukee Foothills resident Bonnie Shearon Gutierrez was born on June 29, 1960, in Houston, Texas, and passed away Sept. 2, 2010 in Chandler.

Edward Charles Rossie passed away peacefully at his home in Phoenix on Aug. 21 at the age of 95. He is survived by daughters Maureen Myles and Marylyn Blair; grandchildren Mary Myles, Tommy Myles, Jamie Blair and Julie Paquette; three great-grandchildren and nephew James J. Rossie, Jr.

United Health Foundation donates $50K to American Indian College Fund

Free breakfast club meeting focuses on long-term care

Patricia Sue ‘Patsy’ Frerichs passes away

Calvin W. Johnson passes away

My mom approached looking agitated, crying. The rented sprayer was too loud to hear her and my dad and I were preoccupied with getting coating applied to the roof. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “Jacob’s dead,” she replied, breaking into tears again. Jacob is my nephew, aged 24. He died of a pulmonary thrombosis March 11, 2010. Heart attacks are not age specific. Like a thief in the night, one took his life.

My mom approached looking agitated, crying. The rented sprayer was too loud to hear her and my dad and I were preoccupied with getting coating applied to the roof. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “Jacob’s dead,” she replied, breaking into tears again. Jacob is my nephew, aged 24. He died of a pulmonary thrombosis March 11, 2010. Heart attacks are not age specific. Like a thief in the night, one took his life.

Nicholas Britton Renz passes away

Melissa Nikole Donati passes away

Thomas Carney passes away

Brian Dickson passes away