April Christine Jeffrey

April Christine Jeffrey passed away peacefully of natural causes on May 8, 2026, where she was surrounded by the love of her family.

April was born on April 10, 1954, in Sunbury, Pennsylvania to William Clifford Eisley Jr. and Jacqueline Nancy Herrold Eisley. She was the middle child, out of five children, and carried deep pride in her German and Pennsylvania Dutch heritage throughout her life.

In 1958, when April was four years old, her parents took a trip out West to be sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple. A couple years later, in 1960, they moved permanently to Arizona, where they settled in Kearny. April attended school alongside her siblings and graduated from Ray High School in 1972.

Shortly after high school graduation, April met the love of her life, Barney Lee Jeffrey, at the Superior Little League Ballpark. They fell quickly in love and were married on October 21, 1972. Together they built a life centered around faith, hard work, and family.

The couple welcomed their first born daughter in 1974 while living in Kearny. They moved to Superior, Arizona shortly after, where they welcomed four more daughters within five years — which means they survived five teenage daughters all at once. Despite Barney feeling their family was complete, April insisted there was room for one more baby, and their sixth and final child, a son, was born in Apache Junction, Arizona where Barney and April relocated their family in search of steadier work opportunities, during the difficult mining strike years.

Life was not always easy. April and Barney lived modestly while raising six young children, but April never backed down from hard work. Determined to create greater opportunities for her family, she enrolled in nursing school while also caring for her six children at home. She proudly earned her RN degree from Mesa Community College after completing the three-year program in 1989.

April began her nursing career as a med surge/labor and delivery nurse, a role she deeply loved. Only a few years later, seeking more flexibility for her family, she became the school nurse at Apache Junction Junior High. She continued serving students and families throughout the Apache Junction School District for many years until her retirement in 2016.

In 2006, once their children were grown, April and Barney purchased property in Queen Valley, Arizona, where they later built what they believed would be their forever home. They cherished many memories and countless family gatherings in their Queen Valley home. However, wanting to be closer to family and modern conveniences, they relocated to San Tan Valley, Arizona in 2019, where April spent the remainder of her days surrounded by those she loved most.

Family was the center of April’s world. She adored her husband Barney, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She never let the size of her growing family stop her from making birthdays and Christmas magical for everyone. She spent hours searching the web for the perfect gifts, making lists, and her favorite part — spending money on the people she loved. One of her most cherished traditions was sewing handmade Christmas pajamas for her grandchildren each year to open on Christmas Eve.

April also loved her family dogs and cats, green M&M’s, the color periwinkle blue, leopard print, plants in pretty pots, gardening, music/singing, watching soap operas and Grey’s Anatomy, and refinishing furniture — even when her children strongly questioned her finished creations.

Cooking was one of April’s greatest love languages. Proud of her Pennsylvania Dutch roots, she mastered family recipes that became staples at gatherings. Food was how April brought people together, and few things made her happier than feeding a crowded table full of family. Gardening became another passion, especially growing peppers and tomatoes. Many family members and friends were lucky enough to enjoy the surplus from her gardens.

One of the places dearest to April’s heart was the family property in Vernon, Arizona where she and Barney spent years building memories alongside their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Fourth of July celebrations in Vernon became a long-standing Jeffrey family tradition filled with cooler weather, fishing, music around the fire, and late-night card games. Though April’s family jokingly complained about the endless projects on the property over the years, those same projects created a place full of laughter and memories. At one point, her family even made her sign a humorous contract, stating “No More Projects”, because she was always dreaming up the next improvement.

April’s work ethic was unmatched. If she decided something needed to be done, she would find a way to accomplish it — no matter how difficult. Even in the final years of her life, as her health declined, she continued pushing herself beyond her physical limitations to care for her home, her family, and all the projects she loved.

She was a woman of faith who loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and treasured the sense of community found through church. She loved sharing her musical talent, especially for singing, and frequently organized musical numbers within church functions. Her encouragement inspired some of her children and grandchildren to develop and share their own musical abilities.

April was preceded in death by her parents, William and Jacqueline Eisley, and her brother, Mark Eisley.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Barney Lee Jeffrey; her six children: Tiffany (Travis) Johnson, Buffy (Jared) Haws, Bridgette (Steve) Krueskamp, Rachael (Lee) Bullock, Chantelle (Leroy) Nelson, and Josh (Jamie) Jeffrey; 28 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, all of whom lovingly knew her as “Nana”; her brother David (Marsha) Eisley, sister Gaye (Renaldo) Cordova, and brother William “Billy” (Carla) Eisley, as well as many extended family members and friends.

April completed her earthly journey with faith in her Savior and the comfort of knowing families are forever. Hers was a life beautifully lived — full of sacrifice, determination, laughter, music, and love for her family.

Until we meet again, April. Ma. Nana.