Obituary of Mary K. Moore

Mary K. Moore, 92, of Stony Brook, NY passed away on Monday, July 29, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, charity, and love. She is survived by her beloved partner of over 20 years, Robert, her four daughters, 10 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and her older sister, Lee, whom she never stopped looking up to. Mary was the middle child to Yugoslavian immigrant parents Dominick and Maria Pinezich, who both grew up in a small town called Nerezine in what is now Croatia. Mary was immensely proud of her heritage and passed on pieces of her family culture in the form of lullabies, recipes, and unwavering support for any Croatian competitor on the international stage. Although she spent her youth in Astoria, Queens, Long Island would be where Mary made a life for herself. One summer day out in Reeves Park, Riverhead she would meet her late husband, George Moore, when he was working as a beach lifeguard. The two fell in love, married, and moved to Northport in 1954 where they would build their beloved family home on Brian Court. There they raised four daughters: Leslie, Sue, Kathy, and Barbie. Mary was a proud schoolteacher who spent her entire career at Norwood Elementary School, sharing her curiosity, optimism, and passion for learning with countless young people. That same passion for learning led her to many different schools including Stony Brook University, LIU, Dowling, and Farmingdale State College where she remained a student well into motherhood and received several credits beyond a master’s degree. Family was everything to Mary, which meant that holidays were holy days no matter the event. Thanksgivings at her sister Lee’s in Stamford, Connecticut, Independence Days at her parents’ home in Reeves Park, Christmases and Easters at home on Brian Court or just across the street where her little brother, John, had designed and built a home and raised a beautiful family of his own. These were the most important days of the year for Mary without question. It was when she was able to give gifts, make food, share hugs, tell stories, effortlessly make entire rooms of loved ones laugh, and brighten the days of all who shared even a small moment with her. In her 92 years, Mary traveled far and wide, read libraries full of mystery books, put together a stack of jigsaw puzzles that could graze the clouds, gave enough gifts to qualify as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, and contributed more to the global economy through her love of shopping than many small countries have over the same period. It was a rich, full, beautiful life, and although no amount of time with a loved one like Mary Moore could ever be long enough her family is beyond grateful that they had all the time that they did. Her warm presence, effortless positivity, silly sense of humor, and overwhelming love for her family will be sorely missed every single day, and especially on holidays. Visiting Nolan Funeral Home, 5 Laurel Avenue, Northport, NY Sunday August 4, 2024 from 3-7 pm, Funeral Service Monday 11 am at the funeral home with burial of the ashes to follow immediately following at Northport Rural Cemetery.