Veronica Carol Hirst passed away peacefully on January 27, 2026, at the age of 67, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on January 7, 1959, Veronica lived a life rooted in faith, devotion, creativity, and unwavering love for those around her.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and friend whose life was defined by service to others and deep commitment to her family. Veronica is lovingly remembered by her children and their spouses: Annie Diaz and Frank Vitale; Jonathan Hirst and Marcy Recella; Molly Fisher and Andy Fisher; and Emily and Mark Brunton. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Aaron, Tyler, MaryGrace, Noah, Abby, Julian, Emelia, Gabriel, Sabrina, Andrew Jr., Hannah, Eloise, Cassidy, and Miles, each of whom held a cherished place in her heart.

She is also survived by her four sisters and their spouses: Marilyn and John; Christina and Joel; Mary and Shaun; and Hector and Ginny. Veronica is lovingly remembered by her mother, Katherine Escobedo; her father, Ronald Kalvin; and her stepmother, Linda. She is further survived by her brothers- and sisters-in-law from the Hirst family, with whom she shared many years of love, connection, and family traditions. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jon Hirst, who passed away in 2021 and whom she missed deeply.

A devout Catholic, Veronica’s faith was the foundation of her life. She loved her church dearly, taught catechism, attended daily Mass, participated in prayer groups, and was a well-known and cherished parishioner. Her faith guided her actions, her compassion, and her enduring kindness.

Veronica dedicated more than 30 years of her professional life to Safeway and Fry’s, where she built a respected career in leadership. As an assistant manager in Flagstaff, she earned numerous accolades and recognitions for her integrity, strong work ethic, and commitment to excellence. She later retired in the Phoenix area, leaving behind a legacy of mentorship and respect.

Creativity brought Veronica great joy. She was a gifted artist who loved painting, especially floral pieces and hand-painted wine glasses. She found peace in gardening, happiness in learning new crafts, and laughter in karaoke nights shared with family. In recent years, she especially enjoyed cruises and traveling with the people she loved most, creating treasured memories along the way.

Veronica also valued friendship deeply. She maintained lifelong friendships formed in high school, nurturing those bonds over decades through regular visits, shared trips, and constant communication. These friendships were a source of joy, laughter, and support, reflecting her loyalty, warmth, and ability to make others feel truly seen and loved.

Above all else, Veronica was most proud of her family. She loved fiercely and unconditionally, particularly her grandchildren, celebrating every milestone and cherishing every moment together. Her faith-filled life, generous spirit, and boundless love will be deeply missed and forever remembered.