Lucia R. Madrid Obituary – The Arizona Republic

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of a grand lady, Lucia Rodarte Madrid. She died peacefully on June 14, 2024, due to an ongoing illness which required surgeries. She is survived by her devoted husband of 44 years, Alfred Madrid, and their son Diego. Also surviving her are her three sisters, Mary Shipe, Margaret Jimenez, and Rosa Stevinson, her brother, Severiano A. Rodarte, and many nieces and nephews who loved their Tia. Lucia lived a life committed to family and her community. She was student body president at Seton Catholic High School in Chandler. Lucia earned scholarships and degrees from St. Mary’s College and the University of Notre Dame where she taught for two years before returning to Arizona.

Lucia wanted to give back to her community and was hired by Chicanos Por La Causa as Communications Director, where she excelled in training others to serve the community. Lucia’s broadcasting career began in 1982 with KTAR Radio, a Pulitzer station, as Community Service Director and later as a Certified Radio Marketing Consultant. At the same time, Lucia became one of the first Hispanic women to produce and host a weekly television program in Arizona which she continued for nine years. Lucia was General Manager of Madrid Communications and Director of Broadcast Promotion and Community Service on public television station KAET before joining KPNX TV (Channel 12) in 1990. Lucia became Vice President of Community Relations for KPNX TV.

As a corporate officer of Gannett Broadcasting, Lucia was consistently listed in the Corporate Elite issue of Hispanic Business Magazine as one of the highest-ranking Latinas at Gannett. She was responsible for Channel 12’s community involvement and community service projects. Lucia earned industry awards for several of the station’s projects, including three Emmy and “Best of Gannett” awards. She was proudest, however, of community awards, such as Chicanos Por La Causa Community Involvement Award; Valle del Sol’s Profiles of Success; Martin Luther King “Living the Dream” award; Cesar Chavez Award from the Si Se Puede Foundation; YMCA Outstanding Woman of the Year in Communications for exceptional human relations work in empowering women and eliminating racism; Salute to Success Award from the Assistance League of East Valley; and the “Aguila” award patterned after Mexico’s highest civilian award commitment to community service. Lucia was a founding member of the Hispanic Women Conference and at her St. Mary’s College Alumni reunion in 2007 she was presented with the outstanding Alumni Achievement Award from her 25th year reunion class.

Her community involvement was always a priority, with various local and national boards. In 1993 Lucia was appointed by President Bush and the Secretary of Defense to serve on the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS), a three-year commission that carried protocol rank of a Lieutenant General/Vice Admiral equivalent. In 1993 she became a founding board member of the Hispanic Alumni of Notre Dame. In 1996 she was asked by the President of Notre Dame to serve on the Advisory Council of the University’s College of Arts and Letters. She was also asked by Bishop Thomas O’Brien to chair the 1998 activities of the Diocese of Phoenix’s preparations for the Millennium, the only lay chair.

Lucia has served on the President’s Advisory Council at St. Mary’s College and later the Board of Trustees. Local boards included: Phoenix Suns Charities; Western International University; Notre Dame Club of Phoenix; Steve Pascente Charitable Foundation; Diocese of Phoenix Jubilee 2000 Planning Committee; Diocesan Communication Commission; AZ Town Hall; Xicanindio Artes and others. Lucia retired early from her broadcasting career to care for her elderly mother and worked part time as an artist and realtor. Lucia continued cheering for her beloved “Fighting Irish” football teams.

Lucia enjoyed so many joyous times with family at her home, at birthday parties, and trips. Her numerous friends remember her for her kindness, elegance and a giving and loving spirit. She was truly a woman with a heart of gold. She will be missed greatly. Lucia wished to be cremated and her services will be private. Condolences may be expressed at rodartelaw1@cs.com.