Former resident, devoted to family, known for her warmth and grateful attitude
Mary Moore. (Courtesy photo)
Mary Frances Blankenship Moore died peacefully at home of natural causes June 1, 2024, in Nashua, New Hampshire, at age 92. She was born Dec. 22, 1931, the 10th of 11 children of James Jefferson and Stella Minnie (Young) Blankenship.
Mary grew up in Narrows, Virginia, in the hills of the New River Valley. During the Depression, with the scarcity of jobs, the family moved to farm along the New River. When Mary was 10, the family moved back to Narrows, where she lived until graduating from high school.
Mary married her husband, Gerald T. Moore, in 1952. She moved with him to Massachusetts where the couple raised six children. They landed in Bedford and in 1966, Gerald’s job took the family to Cologne, Germany, where they lived for three years.
In 1968 the family moved to Glenview, Illinois, returning to Massachusetts in 1972 where they settled in Harvard. Mary’s later years were spent in Chelmsford, and finally Nashua, New Hampshire.
Mary sang in choirs in Bedford and Harvard. She participated in college courses for a number of years at Rivier University in Nashua, studying art, languages, and writing. Her works of writing are witty, warm, and insightful and are precious to her family. She was accomplished at flower arranging, and enjoyed artisan egg decorating and painting.
Mary had a sunny disposition with a grateful attitude. Anyone who lighted at her door would receive a warm smile and greeting. Her southern background would come out with a “How you doin’ sugar?” or “What’s happening, darlin’?” She was a bright spot in the lives of those around her. Mary cherished time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and will be remembered as a power of example with respect to her verve for life, nature, and her devotion to family.
She is survived by her children, Susan M. Rogan (Robert), Mark O. Moore (Susan Lander), Leslie M. Dionne (Gary), and Marianne Moore; grandchildren Samantha Rogan, Stephanie Rogan (Michael Masse), Krista Seaton (Jeremy), Dylan Moore, Ashley Moore (Tamas Javor), Sarah Petreyko, William Cook (Elizabeth), and Hannah Cook; and great-grandchildren Jocelynn, Christopher, Alexander, Maya, Harvey, Michael, and Millie Mae.
Mary was predeceased by two of her children, David G. Moore and Sarah A. Moore; her siblings Clara, Anna Pauline, Stephen Edmond, Bill, James Jr., Lillian, Nellie May, Bessie H., Garland Wesley, and Grover Chapman, and her husband of 35 years, Gerald T. Moore.
A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street in Milford, New Hampshire, at noon Tuesday, July 2.
.
.