Memorial service for former Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel set for Monday

Corrections & Clarifications: A previous article incorrectly stated the years Allister Adel graduated from the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. She graduated from UA in 1999 and from ASU in 2004.

A celebration of life memorial service for former Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel was set for Monday afternoon. Adel, the first woman elected to that office, died April 30 at age 45.

The service will be held in Phoenix at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and is open to the public, but it will be closed to the press when the service begins.

The service will start at 2 p.m.

Adel’s husband and family confirmed her death, citing “health complications.”

Given Adel’s dedication to philanthropy and community service, donations can be made to Phoenix Rotary Club Charities in her memory, the obituary stated.

Becoming a member of Phoenix Rotary was cited as one of her most profound and formative experiences, the obituary stated.

Adel served as president of Phoenix Rotary 100 from 2017-2018. In that time, she raised funds to support organizations on the forefront of fighting human trafficking.

To make a donation in Adel’s memory, checks should be payable to Phoenix Rotary Club Charities. In the memo line, write, "In Memory of Allister Adel." Mail the donation to: Phoenix Rotary Club Charities, 501 E. Osborn Road, Phoenix, Arizona, 85012.

Dreams of becoming a prosecutor

Because of her dedication to and interest in improving the lives around her, it's no surprise that Adel chose to become a public servant.

Adel was born on Nov. 10, 1976, in Dallas, and was raised close to her family.

After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona in 1999, the Texas native went on to attend the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University with dreams of becoming a prosecutor, the obituary states.

In 2004, Adel graduated from ASU Law at the top of her class.

Adel began her legal career at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, where she was an award-winning felony prosecutor and tirelessly advocated for victims’ rights, according to the obituary.

During her tenure as deputy county attorney, she worked alongside multiple specialized law enforcement bureaus.

Adel also served at various state agencies over the years, including the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Arizona Department of Child Safety, the obituary stated.

She resigned from her position as county attorney about seven weeks ago, after the State Bar of Arizona and Maricopa County Board of Supervisors launched an investigation into her sobriety and absences from the office for weeks at a time.

Beloved mother, wife, daughter, friend and public servant

Adel was initially appointed to the position in October 2019. As the first woman to hold the title, she shattered the glass ceiling, according to her obituary.

A year later, Adel became the first woman elected to serve as Maricopa County attorney, describing the esteemed appointment as her “dream job.”.

Adel always encouraged her colleagues and those around her to seek equal justice for the community she treasured, and to be committed to doing the right things for the right reasons, every day.

Even though her deep devotion to the community and unwavering commitment to justice and fairness is what she might be most remembered for, she was also a dedicated and beloved mother, wife, daughter and friend, her obituary stated.

Adel and her husband were to celebrate their 20th anniversary later this month.

Adel loved to laugh and reveled in playing quirky pranks on her family and friends, such as “flocking” her friends’ houses with flamingos on their birthdays. She was a loyal friend, notorious for putting the needs of others first. She was always willing to lend a helpful hand and support when needed, never asking for anything in return, her obituary stated.

She is survived by her husband, David, her two sons, and her father, John Adel.

Reach breaking news reporter Amaris Encinas at amaris.encinas@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @amarisencinas.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Memorial service for former Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel set