Obituary of Mary M Macias

Mary Macias, 85, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2023, and returned to the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The eighth child, Mary was born on May 1, 1937, in Mesa, Arizona to Feliciano and Dolores Macias. Mary was preceded in death by her oldest sister, Petra, followed by Leonard, Esther, Jesus, Michaela, Joseph, and Juanita.

When Mary was seven years old, her mother died. She was raised by her sisters and would call her older sister, Esther, “Mama” which was not received well. Esther was dating her soon to be husband! Growing up she often traveled with her family to California to visit relatives and pick fruit to help the family financially.  Living her entire life in Mesa, Mary attended Webster Elementary school and was a proud graduate of Mesa High School in 1957.

Shortly after graduation, Mary worked at Kellwood, a sewing factory in Mesa.

When Kellwood closed, she then worked at Tally Industries, an airbag corporation, until her retirement.  Her next and most favorite job was cafeteria worker and crossing guard at Patterson Elementary School in Gilbert.  She made many friends and was a great encouragement as well as prayer support to all employees.

In 1973   Mary dedicated her life to the Lord. She and her sister-in-law, Alice, were involved in many ministries during the years including Meals on Wheels and a nursing home ministry. She considered it an honor and privilege to bake the communion bread for church services which required an accurately followed recipe.  She did it out of love for God and would never accept any kind of payment or reimbursement. Mary was a servant at heart.  Moreover, she was involved in many wonderful Bible studies and loved to sing praise songs.  In the early years of her walk with Christ, Mary often played her tambourine in church services and prayer meetings. 

Mary loved people!  She was a friend to everyone she met.  Praying for people, encouraging them with scriptures and reassuring words of comfort were a major part of her life.

She loved Bingo and volunteered at an assisted living facility to help the residents.  Later, when she moved to her own assisted living apartment Bingo was one of her favorite activities. Yet her most cherished activity was the opportunity to attend church services with Pastor Leo and Sylvia Laney.  She often prayed for the staff, her new friends, and residents at her place.  She was an encouragement and true friend to everyone she met.

Mary embraced her very large family. She looked forward to the weekly family dinners, parties, celebrations, or any time family was together. A wonderful Aunt to her many nieces and nephews, Aunt Mary cherished and dearly loved them all. 

Mary was small in stature but was a giant regarding her personality, caring, commitment, dedication, and true love of all people and desire for them to come to know Jesus as Lord.  She will be missed by everyone that knew and loved her.