Mary Moore

Mary Moore was a woman who was always happy to help. She was a strong, supportive woman, a lovable lady who did whatever she could for the people around her. From the birds in her yard, to the pets in her life, to the family and friends in her heart, Mary had plenty of love to go around, a love that lives on today in all who knew her. Marys story began on a warm spring day in 1927, as the flowers bloomed in Ludington, Michigan. Those were exciting times in this country, times of peace and prosperity, during the twilight of the Roaring 20s, and the Prohibition era. On May 22, 1927, George and Alma (Leafstrand) Peterson celebrated the birth of a baby girl, a daughter they named Mary. Mary was the middle of five children in the familys home in Muskegon, joining her big brothers Bill and Calvin, and little sisters Alice and Georgia. Her dad worked at Continental Motors, while her mother cared for the kids and her extended family. Mary had a wonderful childhood, and had plenty of friends she played with. She also loved going fishing with her dad, or helping her mother make her famous potato sausage, or cook her lutfisk during the holidays. She also helped out wherever she could, even as a kid, and especially helped her mother care for her grandmother who lived nearby. Mary attended North Muskegon Schools, where she was a very popular student with plenty of friends. Her classmates loved her sense of humor, especially, and she was even named Class Cut-Up her senior year. While she was in high school, she met a handsome young upperclassman named Tex Moore. Tex was a year older, though, and after he graduated in 1944, he immediately went off and joined the fight in World War II. Mary did her own part to help the war effort, and worked for the Red Cross making bandages all through high school. After she graduated in 1945, she continued working for the Red Cross, but also went to work at Holmes Drug Store, where she worked at the soda fountain. One day Mary was working the soda counter, when a handsome young soldier sat down and ordered a hot fudge sundae. The soldier was none other than Tex Moore, and he soon became sweeter on Mary than he was on the sundaes! The two began dating, and before they knew it, they were in love. The happy couple was married on June 12, 1948, the greatest day of Marys life, marrying the love of her life. The couple settled in Muskegon, and Tex provided for his new bride by working at Continental Motors, just like his father-in-law. Mary, meanwhile, soon found herself busy raising a family. The couple was blessed with three fine children over the years, their daughter Vondie and the twins, Diane and David, rounding out the happy family. Mary was a wonderful wife and mother, so caring and supportive of all of them, always putting their needs ahead of her own. She spent countless hours helping them with their homework at the kitchen table over the years, and was so proud of each of them. They did much together as a family, from camping in the summertime, to snow skiing up north every weekend in the winter. Every Sunday, they would pile into the car and go to Community United Methodist Church. Later they would go on a family ride for an ice cream come and would make popcorn in the evening, a Sunday tradition. After working at Continental for a few years, Tex took a job at the Post Office, before becoming interested in real estate. He soon started his own agency, Tex Moore and Associates Real Estate, and Mary lovingly supported her husbands endeavors. She worked as his secretary for many years, and with their hard work, the business became quite a success. In addition to working with Tex, Mary was involved in the Club, and many other social organizations. She and Tex also enjoyed many trips to Las Vegas with her good friends, The Jewells and the Thills, and they had many great times together. Tex and Mary made sure their children had everything they ever needed, and their home became a menagerie of various animals over the years. They always had a dog, in addition to birds, fish, an iguana, turtles, guinea pigs they even had a tarantula spider! Mary always loved animals, and especially enjoyed the beautiful birds that came to her home to graze in the many feeders she left for them. They spent the national debt in bird seed each year! When they bought their beautiful home on Bear Lake, Mary delighted in the enormous flock of ducks in her yard each day. Mary was a huge hit with everyone she met, and had many friends over the years. She had such a great sense of humor, the class cut-up who never quite grew up! One things for sure: Mary always knew how to make people laugh. Mary had many interests, from bird watching in her backyard, to bowling, to watching sports on TV with Tex. She also loved getting her hair and nails done, and especially, going shopping for her army of shoes! Sadly, her beloved husband died in 1989, when he was semi-retired, leaving many plans undone. Mary persevered, ever the strong woman she was. She kept active and busy. Most of all, Mary found happiness in lifes simpler pleasures, her family and her home. She loved spending time with her dogs around the house, or having her children and grandchildren come to visit, who she loved so dearly. Eventually, Marys health began to decline, as the years took their toll on her. Sadly, Mary died on Saturday, March 15, 2008, at the age of 80. Mary was such a wonderful woman, who lived a wonderful life, a life full of love and laughter, of family and fond memories. From the birds in her yard, to the family and friends in her heart, Mary always had plenty of love and laughter to go around. Today her love and laughter lives on in all who knew her. She will be so greatly missed. Mary is survived by her son, David (Lisa) Moore of North Muskegon; 2 daughters, Vondie Moore - Woodbury of North Muskegon & Diane (Thomas) Ryan of Sewickley of PA; 12 grandchildren, Emilie (Alan) Lanstra, Katie LaBarge, Mary Ellen (Tyler) Scherer, Elizabeth Ryan, Katie (Scott) Kurfirst, Erin (Loren) Raber, Amanda Moore, David N. Moore, Jessica Moore, Derek Hines, Brennan Hines & Morgan Woodbury; 5 great grandchildren, William Lanstra, Isabella Lanstra, Abigail Ganos, Ryan Kurfirst & Piper Kurfirst; 2 sisters, Alice Kolberg of Ludington, MI & Georgia (Ken) Nelson of CA; 2 sister-in-law, Margaret Peterson of IN, Joyce Moore of TX; 1 aunt, Bea Leafstrand of Ludington; several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, William "Tex" Moore in 1989, 2 brothers, Calvin Peterson & William Peterson; 2 brothers-in-law, Clayton Kolberg & Jack D. Moore & a sister-in-law, Cereda Peterson. Services are scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2008, 11:00 AM at Community United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert Lynch officiating. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery. Visitation is Tuesday, 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. MEMORIAL: Community United Methodist Church Memorial Fund or Humane Society & Animal Rescue of Muskegon. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign the online guest book.