REFERENCE TITLE: death resolution; Honorable Lou-Ann Preble

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2024

HR 2008

Introduced by

Representative Griffin:  Senator Bennett

A Resolution

               on the death of the honorable lou-ann preble.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

The Honorable Lou-Ann M. Preble passed away on May 2, 2024, at the age of 94.

Born to Albert "AJ" and Allene (Mabry) Baumann on September 26, 1929, Lou-Ann grew up in Sumter, South Carolina during the depression and World War II. She earned her registered nursing certification at Toomey Hospital in 1948. The same year she met William "Bill" Preble, a United States Air Force pilot stationed at the nearby Shaw Field, and they married in December of 1949. As an Air Force wife and mother to 11 children, Lou-Ann lived in England, Greece, Germany and Korea, as well as Colorado, Alabama, California, Virginia, Hawaii and Arizona. When Bill retired in 1972, the family settled in Tucson, where they owned Barney's Casuals, were active in the schools and Saint Francis de Sales Church and worked tirelessly for the Republican Party.

In 1992, Lou-Ann won a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives, and she served with dedication in this capacity until 2001. Her passion for health care and her commitment to the unique health challenges faced by those living in rural areas of Arizona allowed her to effect numerous positive changes for her constituents. As the Chairperson of the Telemedicine and Rural and Native American Affairs Committees and Vice Chairperson of the Health Committee, Representative Preble accomplished much for the State of Arizona and her constituents. She partnered with the University of Arizona Health Center to create two programs, the Arizona Telemedicine Program, which connected remote and prison clinics with health care professionals at the University of Arizona, revolutionizing health care access for those in underserved areas, and the Rural Health Professions Program, which sought to address the shortage of physicians in smaller communities by establishing rotations for medical students throughout various Arizona locales. Her efforts to increase the number of medical doctors and support services in the rural communities have remained viable, and the Lou-Ann Preble Community Health Center stands as a tribute to her commitment to rural health care. Additionally, Representative Preble served on the Veteran and Military Affairs Committee and worked with others to establish the Southern Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in the Sierra Vista area, which allowed veterans to be laid to rest closer to their homes and families. She also served on many other committees, including the Government Reform and States' Rights Committee.  

Retirement for both Lou-Ann and Bill afforded them a chance to travel across America and to places such as Japan, Korea and Peru. They celebrated as their family of 13 grew through marriages, grandchildren and, eventually, great-grandchildren. For Lou-Ann, there was no greater joy than spoiling a new little family member. In 2010, Bill passed away due to complications of Alzheimer's. Lou-Ann stayed in the family home and continued to volunteer with the Republican Party, attend meetings and mentor young politicians.

Lou-Ann is preceded in death by her parents, AJ and Allene Baumann, her brother, Robert, and her husband, Bill. She is survived by her 11 children, Bill Preble, Cindy Preble Coleman, Trish Preble, Mike Preble, Carolyn Jones, John Preble, Mary Preble, Andy Preble, Matt Preble, Kate Preble and Margie Creedon-Preble, and their respective spouses, children and grandchildren.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona:

That the Members of the House of Representatives express their sincere regret at the passing of the Honorable Lou-Ann Preble and extend their deepest sympathies to her surviving family members and friends.