Former Queen Creek Town Council member dies

“She was a leader within the organization and our community – someone who served with kindness and strength."”

Gail Barney, Queen Creek mayor

Joyce Hildebrandt, who served four terms on the Queen Creek Town Council from 1993 until 2010, died Sunday, Dec. 26. She was 77.

“I had the distinct honor to serve two terms on the council with Joyce,” stated Queen Creek Mayor Gail Barney in a press release. “She was a leader within the organization and our community – someone who served with kindness and strength. I was so fortunate to learn from her and continue to carry her vision for the community forward. Joyce will be deeply missed by many.”

During her time on the council, Hildebrandt served as vice mayor and participated on a number of local boards and committees, including the Downtown Trail, Housing Rehab and Community Development, Parks, Trails and Open Space, Wastewater, Budget Development Code Update, Library/Post Office Design, Town Center Development, and the Youth Advisory.

She also represented the town regionally on the Maricopa County Community Development Advisory Committee and the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority Board. 

“Joyce served on the council during a pivotal time for Queen Creek,” stated Town Manager John Kross. “During her years of leadership, the town established the Parks and Trails Open Space Master Plan, Ellsworth Loop Road, the Queen Creek Fire Department, a municipal sewer system and a municipal water system through the purchase of the Queen Creek Water Co. Joyce was the chairwoman of the Library Advisory Committee that designed the new library – which is just one of the daily reminders we have of her commitment to service and the Queen Creek community.”

Hildebrandt was a graduate of the Southwest Leadership Program and the Community Emergency Response Team training program.

As a local business owner, she was active in the business community, as well. She served on the Community Advisory Panel sponsored by TRW and was a member of the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce.

Services will be held on Monday, Jan. 3 at 10 a.m., with a one hour viewing prior, at the Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7900 E. Main St., Mesa.