With her family by her side, Ariel Rakel Luna passed away on June 9, 2022 in Phoenix, AZ at 32 years old. Ariel was a loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend who will be remembered for her compassionate heart, abundant generosity, silly sense of humor, and boundless love for animals. 

Born on March 7, 1990, Ariel grew up in Placerville, CA as the youngest in her family. She was a happy and expressive child, despite being non-verbal for the first several years of her life. With the support of her family and programs, including PRIDE and Joy in Placerville and the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center in Sacramento, Ariel was able to develop her cognitive and social skills. She graduated from Edwin Markham Middle School in 2005 and El Dorado High School in 2009. From there, she completed the Job Corps trade school program in Sacramento, worked in various retail positions, and eventually started and grew her own pet care business in Yuma, AZ. 

Ariel found great joy in traveling to various states, dipping her toes in the ocean, listening to music, and making picture collages. She was known for her carefully crafted birthday cards and letters to her loved ones, as well as handmade birthday posters for the animals at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde, AZ. As a frequent visitor to the wildlife park, she had an expansive knowledge of the animals there and delighted in sharing that information with any and all park visitors.

Ariel is survived by her parents, Richard Luna (Carolyn Bramson), and Shane Taber and her siblings, Diego Luna, Olivia Luna (Regina Buenaobra), and Kira Luna. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Arthur and Mary Louise Taber and Teresa and Urbano Luna; her aunt, Elizabeth Holly; and many beloved pets, including cats Houdini, Puffball, Sunny, and Torashima. Ariel’s last act of love was being an organ donor; our Hero gave extended life to three Arizona women.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Olde Vets Hall in Dixon, CA beginning at 11am on July 9th. For planning purposes, the family asks that you RSVP (see more information to the right or below). Interment will be private in Dixon’s Silveyville Cemetery.