Tucson Congressman Raúl Grijalva, a Congress member since 2003, died on March 13, 2025 of complications from cancer treatment. He was 77.
A funeral mass at St. Augustine Cathedral was held to honor the former congressman. A celebration of life followed at the El Casino Ballroom.
Ramona Grijalva, second from left, smiles at a friend as she leads her family into St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. for her late husband’s, Congressman Raúl Grijalva’s, funeral mass in Tucson, Ariz. on March 26, 2025.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Adelita Grijalva, second from left, holds hands with Dolores Huerta, far left, as they walk in for her father’s, Congressman Raúl Grijalva’s, funeral mass at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on March 26, 2025.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Raquel Grijalva, center, daughter of Congressman Raúl Grijalva walks with family into the funeral mass at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on March 26, 2025.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
An urn filled with the remains of Congressman Raúl Grijalva sits on the floor of a sports utility vehicle awaiting to be carried into a funeral mass at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on March 26, 2025.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
A member of the honor guard holds an urn filled with the remains of Congressman Raúl Grijalva at the beginning of a funeral mass outside of St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on March 26, 2025.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Emeritus Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, right, leads the honor guard out of St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. following a funeral mass for Congressman Raúl Grijalva in Tucson, Ariz. on March 26, 2025.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Emeritus Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, lower left, leads the honor guard out of St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. following a funeral mass for Congressman Raúl Grijalva in Tucson, Ariz. on March 26, 2025.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Mourners arrive for Congressman Raúl Grijalva’s funeral mass outside of St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on March 26, 2025.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Members of the honor guard carry out a folded American flag and the urn filled with the remains of Congressman Raúl Grijalva following a funeral mass at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on March 26, 2025.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
A young mourner is comforted as she leaves a funeral mass for Congressman Raúl Grijalva at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on March 26, 2025.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Mourners sit during a funeral mass for Congressman Raúl Grijalva at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on March 26, 2025.
Courtesy of the family of Raúl M. Grijalva
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks on the impact of Congressman Raúl Grijalva’s mentorship during a funeral mass at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on March 26, 2025.
Courtesy of the family of Raúl M. Grijalva
Speaker Emerita Rep. Nancy Pelosi speaks on the impact of Congressman Raúl Grijalva’s work on the nation during a funeral mass at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on March 26, 2025.
Courtesy of the family of Raúl M. Grijalva
Former Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland speaks on the impact of Congressman Raúl Grijalva’s work on the environment and Indigenous and tribal advocacy during a funeral mass at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on March 26, 2025.
Courtesy of the family of Raúl M. Grijalva
Guests dance during the celebration of life for Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva at El Casino Ballroom, 437 East 26th Street, Tucson, Ariz., March 26, 2025.
Grace Trejo / Arizona Daily Star
Supervisor Adelita Grijalva, middle, chants “Sí se puede” during the celebration of life for her father, Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva at El Casino Ballroom, 437 East 26th Street, Tucson, Ariz., March 26, 2025.
Grace Trejo / Arizona Daily Star
Dolores Huerta, a life-long civil rights activist and friend of Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva speaks during his celebration of life ceremony at El Casino Ballroom, 437 East 26th Street, Tucson, Ariz., March 26, 2025.
Grace Trejo / Arizona Daily Star
Supervisor Adelita Grijalva hugs people during the celebration of life for Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva at El Casino Ballroom, 437 East 26th Street, Tucson, Ariz., March 26, 2025.
Grace Trejo / Arizona Daily Star
Memoriam stickers available during the celebration of life for Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva at El Casino Ballroom, 437 East 26th Street, Tucson, Ariz., March 26, 2025.
Grace Trejo / Arizona Daily Star
A line forms to greet Supervisor Adelita Grijalva during the celebration of life for her father, Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva at El Casino Ballroom, 437 East 26th Street, Tucson, Ariz., March 26, 2025.
Grace Trejo / Arizona Daily Star
Los Gallegos perform during the celebration of life for Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva at El Casino Ballroom, 437 East 26th Street, Tucson, Ariz., March 26, 2025.
Grace Trejo / Arizona Daily Star
Ramona (Mona) Grijalva, the wife of the late Raúl M. Grijalva laughs during the celebration of life for the Congressman at El Casino Ballroom, 437 East 26th Street, Tucson, Ariz., March 26, 2025.
Grace Trejo / Arizona Daily Star
Memoriam stickers and candles available during the celebration of life for Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva at El Casino Ballroom, 437 East 26th Street, Tucson, Ariz., March 26, 2025.
Grace Trejo / Arizona Daily Star
Hundreds attend the celebration of life for Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva at El Casino Ballroom, 437 East 26th Street, Tucson, Ariz., March 26, 2025.
Grace Trejo / Arizona Daily Star
Hundreds attend the celebration of life for Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva at El Casino Ballroom, 437 East 26th Street, Tucson, Ariz., March 26, 2025.
Grace Trejo / Arizona Daily Star
He was a man from very humble beginnings who never forgot where he came from or whom he was supposed to serve while in public office.
Raúl Grijalva’s political career began not on the stump, but on the streets, marching, picketing and organizing his way into the spotlight.
Adelita Grijalva is set to resign from the Pima County Board of Supervisors as she seeks to mirror her father's road to the Congress. Like hime, she served on the TUSD board prior to being elected to the county board.
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.
