Mary Ellen Moore (1933-2006)

MOORE, IRVIN, KINGSTON

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 12/24/2007 at 20:49:01

The Story County Herald, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday February 1, 2006.

Mary Ellen Moore, 72, passed away) Jan. 19, 2006 following a brief illness. Born Sept. 27, 1933 in Champaign, Illinois to Omar and Winnie Irvin, she married Earl Moore, Jr. in 1952. Together they raised four boys.

She's quoted as saying, "I've had the best of both worlds".

In her time, Mary Ellen enjoyed extensive world travel and made her home in Illinois, the West Coast, New England, Colorado, Iowa, Libya, Malta, and Maryland. She loved to read and was a life-long learner. She taught herself to speak Arabic so she could haggle with Libyan shopkeepers. She graduated from Iowa State University in 1981 to begin a career in Interior Design for the Veterans Administration in Knoxville, Iowa, then, in 1990, was selected to lend her talents to a new VA hospital being finished in Baltimore, Maryland that won her national recognition. After a 20-year career, she' retired in 2003.

She is survived by a brother and sister, Charles Irvin of Rantoul, Illinois and Pauline Kingston of Paxton Illinois. Also by her sons, Dan of North Liberty, Iowa, Robin (Jedra) of Carlisle, Iowa, Randy of Michigan, Tracy (Lynette) of S. Jordan, Utah and eight grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation in her name to the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa.

Mom lived life on her own terms and made growing up an adventure.

Her compassion for others and her daring spirit have left a great legacy for us to remember. She touched countless lives, will be greatly missed, and prepared us well for "the next great adventure."

She was my Superhero! My touchstone! A mother first, best friend and confidante. The source, by her example, of my life's outlook and philosophies.

An amazing and strong woman, Mom was known for her open honesty, deep compassion, continuous creativity, hard work, quick wit and humor. When she was old, she DID wear purple.

A celebration of Mary Ellen's life is being planned for Feb. 18th-from noon to 2:00 p.m. at 1235 9th Street, Nevada, Iowa.