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Renowned Akimel O’odham artist and historian Royce Manuel died Monday in Scottsdale, surrounded by his family. He was 68.
Manuel was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in January and, after undergoing treatments early on in his diagnosis, he chose to spend his remaining time in hospice care in Scottsdale.
"Part of me thought I still had a little more time," Debbie Nez Manuel said of her husband's passing. "I have a feeling that Royce has a lot to do with the amount of support that I received since (Monday)."
Royce and Debbie had been together for more than 15 years and shared a life together on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community with their combined family of eight. Debbie is a citizen of the Navajo Nation.