Mary M. Moore, lovingly known as "Tia Maria" by all the extended family, was called to her eternal home on March 30, 2016; four months shy of her 102nd birthday. For almost five years she had lived with her daughter in Douglas where she was tenderly cared for. Mary was born July 3, 1914 in Moctezuma, Sonora, the daughter of Carlos S. Moore, Jr. and Josefita Montaño. She lost her mother at age 19 and became head of household for her father, two younger sisters and a younger brother with the help of her beloved Godmother "Nina Maria" Montaño. On May 24, 1937 she married Anthony "Tony" Moore of Douglas, AZ in Moctezuma and moved to Douglas to begin their married life near Tony's mother Arcelia and his sisters. God blessed them with five children. On December 18, 1950, following a trip to Moctezuma to visit his in-laws for Christmas, Tony was killed when the plane he piloted crashed. He was returning from a side trip to Granados, a nearby town, where he had gone to pick up brother-in-law Miguel Angel Arvizu, husband of Mary's sister Concepcion; who also died in the crash. Two sisters were left widows with five children each, ranging in ages from 2 mos. to 12 yrs. A last-minute turn of events spared the third sister Dolores and her family from the same possible heartbreak. Her husband Francisco "Pancho" Monge was going to accompany Tony on the side trip; however, just before takeoff someone came to the airstrip to tell him he was needed at work and he did not go. Mary persevered and went on with determination to raise her family alone. A devout Catholic she gave her children a Christian education at Loretto School and a proper upbringing. She carefully managed her limited widow resources and did without many material comforts. She was a parishioner of St. Luke's Church for 66 years (her husband's funeral service was one of the first held at the newly established parish). For many years she was a CCD program home visitor, an Eucharistic minister at the Solano Nursing Home, and a member of the Altar Society, weekly washing/ironing/mending the altar linens and on-call for last minute vestment alterations. After her children were grown she went to work outside the home as a cafeteria cook for the Douglas school district, retiring in 1979. Strikingly beautiful and dignified she had countless attributes. Notably, she was remarkably neat and organized, an exemplary homemaker, an awesome cook, and an accomplished seamstress. She was the go-to person of the family for instructions on how to do anything, for personal advice, for a helping hand, or just for companionship. Although she had endless responsibilities, she always made time to help others no matter what the need. However, almost to a fault, she hardly took time for herself, as she was a "do-it-all and do-it-all myself" woman who never asked for help. She also never owned a car, and she walked everywhere, even before it was considered exercise. She remained in excellent health and totally self-reliant into her mid-90's when she lost her eye sight and her ability to walk with agility. Never one to complain about anything, she was accepting of these physical changes and the loss of independence. Even though her body continued to decline, amazingly her mental capacity, understanding, and positive thinking remained intact to the very end. She was a fountain of information regarding family histories both old and current. She also was our unfailing source of practical and moral guidance. Always glad to see us and listen to us with interest, we felt important and sincerely loved by her -- I am sure that each one of us thinks that he/she must have been her favorite! Mary is survived by three children: Margot "Margaret" (Bob†) Del Santo, JoAnn (Bill†) Faubion, and Charles S. (Jean Marie) Moore; brother Jose (Josefina†) Moore; 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren (Mary would have been able to tell you each name.) Also surviving are numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and their families, as well as many dear family friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Anna May (Leo) Wallace, son Richard "Dicky" Moore (who also tragically died when the plane he was piloting crashed), great-granddaughter Summer Martin, sisters Dolores "Lola" (Francisco†) Monge and Concepcion "Concha" (Miguel Angel†) Arvizu, and godmother "Nina Maria" Montaño. Also preceded in death are almost all immediate and extended family members from her generation. Mom bore the heavy hardships of her life with great composure and acceptance, not because she did not feel them, but because she was an extremely brave person and truly spiritual. The heart of several generations she was the central, loving and positive presence in all our lives; she was our matriarch, our inspiration. We all loved her deeply and will profoundly miss her earthly presence. However, she will continue to dwell within us as "those who live no more echo still within our thoughts and words and what they did is part of what we have become." To our Mom-Querida Hermana-Granny-Prima-Tia Maria one last farewell: Gracias for all you did for us and hasta la proxima! Rosary will be recited at Brown Page Mortuary, 7:00 pm, Friday, April 8, 2016. Funeral mass will be held at St. Luke's Catholic Church, 12:30 pm, Saturday, April 9, 2016, with Rev. Gilbert Malu and Rev. Luis Armando officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. There will be a gathering for family and friends following the service.