The Bequette Family: Joyous Love

By Carissa Krautscheid

Mary and Kelly Bequette met in the first grade while attending Holy Spirit Catholic Parochial School in Sacramento, CA where they were both born and raised. In 1981, Mary and Kelly were married at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. They shared 35 wonderful years of marriage together.

Prior to their marriage, Kelly served in the United States Navy for five years, before he switched over to U.S. Air Force reserves for 23 years.

Mary and Kelly’s daughter, Michelle, was born in 1988. Two years later, they had Ryan after they moved to Woodinville, WA where they lived for 11 years while Kelly worked for Boeing.

Mary worked for Prime Source, a medical distributor of surgical supplies, which was sold in 1999. Her boss offered her a new position in Tucson, AZ. Mary worked for Golder Ranch Fire District for the past eight years with Emergency Medical Services’ medical billing for ambulance services. She recently retired as of September 2021.

Kelly joined the Knights of Columbus at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish and was an active member of the Third-Degree Deacon Raphael Ray Longpre Council #10441 and was a Fourth-Degree Knight with Assembly 2392 Msgr. Don H. Hughes during his years in Tucson. He found a great camaraderie within both groups at the church and was very active in a variety of fundraisers. Kelly was also a regular usher at the 9am Mass every Sunday.

In 2016, Kelly was in a motorcycle accident and suffered an untimely death, but his beloved memory continues, especially at various church functions. Mary’s faith was challenged after Kelly passed away, but friends and family supported her to endure. “With our Catholic faith,” she said, “we believe that he is in a better place with the Lord, and we will see him again someday.” If the Bequette family had a motto, it would probably be, “Life is short, but the Lord is loving.”

Mary has been a Eucharistic Minister since moving to Tucson. She was also a member of the Marian Club, which is a Catholic ladies organization at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, and volunteered at various fundraising events. Both the Knights of Columbus and the Marian Club made the Bequette family feel right at home in Tucson and at St. Thomas.

“We love the support and uplifting organizations within this faith community. St. Thomas the Apostle has positively influenced our children,” said Mary, “as they became adults by encouraging participation to enhance the next generation of Catholic youths.” Michelle and Ryan were deeply involved in the St. Thomas Youth Group for years. Michelle also sang in the choir and Ryan was a sacristan. They both continued to volunteer their services to the Church after high school. Michelle and Ryan attended Salpointe Catholic High School in the classes of 2007 and 2009 respectively.

After graduating, Michelle studied at Northern Arizona University, where she met Luke Pyde at the on-campus Newman Center. Michelle and Luke were married in 2014 at St. Thomas. In 2017, they were blessed with twin daughters, Maggie and Lydia, and a son, Emmett, in October 2021. They now live in Tempe, AZ. Michelle previously organized professional development opportunities for K-12 teachers across Arizona. She is currently a Business Operations Coordinator for Arizona State University.

Ryan lives in Tucson and always provides a helping hand to his mother when needed. He has been working as a manager for FedEx for ten years. “Ryan is an amazing uncle and absolutely loves playing with his nieces and nephew!” said Michelle.

Mary later met a special man, Ernie Minchella, through Kelly’s past real estate career, and is thankful to have a life partner to share her unlimited family blessings with. Ernie has lived in Tucson most of his life and grew up in the Catholic faith. He attended the University of Arizona after graduating from Salpointe Catholic High School in 1958. Ernie has been involved with the Knights of Columbus, Rotary of Tucson, and The Centurions. He also has another business called Minchella Window Fashions & Interiors which complements his real estate clients.

“Faith has played a big role in our lives,” said Michelle, “because it has brought us together from the beginning, and helped us grow to where we are now. Everything started with the faith. A scripture passage that resonates with us as a family is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.”

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

“We show our love daily to one another, even while living hours apart,” said Michelle. “Our family is our foundation and stability, which is built on love and faith.” The Bequette family constantly exudes and expresses joyous love.


Originally Published in Catalina Foothills Catholic Magazine