REFERENCE TITLE: Allister Adel; death resolution

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2022

HCR 2044

Introduced by

Representative Bowers

A Resolution

                        on the death of allister adel.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Allister Adel DeNitto passed away at the age of forty-five on April 30, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Born on November 10, 1976 in Dallas, Texas, Allister was raised in a tight-knit family, and she especially adored her father and grandfather. Growing up, they would often visit South Padre Island, a place she loved to return to as an adult with her own family.

After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona, Allister earned her law degree from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University to pursue her dream of becoming a prosecutor. During her studies, she volunteered as a victim advocate, participated in moot court competitions and took as many courses as she could with her favorite professor, the late Michael Berch. She was named valedictorian of her 2004 graduating class.

In 2002, Allister married David DeNitto, and together they have two sons.  Her boys were her pride and joy and the lights of her life, and she was often heard extolling all their wonderful qualities and accomplishments.

Brilliant and kind with a razor-sharp wit and excellent sense of humor, Allister 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.

A devoted public servant, Allister was dedicated to improving the lives of those around her. She 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. During her tenure as deputy county attorney, Allister served in the Vehicular Crimes, Gang and Drug Enforcement bureaus and served as the chief administrative law judge for the Arizona Department of Transportation. Later, she was appointed as the general counsel for the Arizona Department of Child Safety where she worked to protect our state's most vulnerable citizens. Her dedication to protecting and serving children was her passion and top priority throughout her distinguished career. She also proudly served for two years as the executive director of the Maricopa County Bar Association.

A true trailblazer, Allister made history when she was appointed to the position of Maricopa County Attorney in October 2019, the first woman in Arizona history to hold that title. She described that esteemed appointment as her "dream job." The following year, she continued to shatter glass ceilings as the first woman elected to that position.

True to her beliefs, Allister was dedicated to philanthropy and community service, and one of her most profound and formative experiences was becoming a Rotarian. From 2017-2018, she served as the president of Phoenix Rotary 100, where she raised funds to support organizations that were on the forefront of fighting human trafficking. She also worked with the City of Phoenix to fund a fellowship area and butterfly garden at Starfish Place, a transitional housing facility for trafficking survivors and their families.

A dedicated mother, wife and public servant, Allister was deeply devoted to her community and was unwavering in her commitment to ensuring fairness and justice. She is survived by her husband of twenty years, David, her two sons and her father, John. She will be missed by her family, her many friends and the people of Arizona.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

That the Members of the House of Representatives sincerely regret the passing of Allister Adel and extend their most sincere sympathies and condolences to her surviving relatives and friends.