Marie Eleanor Quiroga peacefully went to glory on March 24, 2017 in Tucson, AZ. Born on Feb. 19, 1928 in Minoa, NY, Marie is survived by two daughters, Antonia
Quiroga Hughes and Christina Quiroga Williams, grandsons Sherman Lester (Corey),
Colin Williams, Ryan Williams and Samuel Williams.
Marie was anxious to see the world, and after working as a telephone operator,
joined the Air Force and was stationed in San Antonio. She met and married Hector
Quiroga, also in the Air Force and Toni was born. Hector was stationed in Japan, but
family wasn’t included, so Marie had to move back to upstate NY. Tina was born in
Rome, NY. When Hector returned, the family moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Marie finally got her wish to travel overseas, as their next move was to Germany. Toni
and Tina attended a German kindergarten, learned German and interpreted for their mom.
Returning to the US, they moved to Amarillo, Texas, vacationing through the
southwest where Marie and the girls returned, in their high school years. A move to
Naples, Italy provided more traveling opportunities in Europe. Marie became a Girl Scout
leader, escorting a slew of young ladies to Rome, Venice, and Florence, fortified by pizza
and Italian Gelato.
Following her divorce while in Italy, she moved the girls back to her small town
in NY, reaching for a life long desire to become a nurse. Returning to school as a single
mom was a challenge, but she succeeded and worked at Syracuse Hospital for a year.
Growing tired of the cold, remembering the southwest travels, she and the girls set out for
Tucson. She had a nursing job at Tucson Medical Center (TMC) waiting for her and
stayed there for 20 years, working nights in pediatrics. She loved her work, and had many
friends from those days as a nurse. Her driving force was always to serve others and she
touched so many families with her love and care.
After retiring, she cared for her grandsons while their parents worked. She was
the reliable Nana, providing extra special care for which there was no parallel. She was
especially devoted to her grandsons. Corey spent summers with his Nana in upstate NY
when she returned to her farming roots, growing strawberries and vegetables. He has a
number of stories to tell about the hard work she insisted upon.
It’s hard to know for sure what motivated her giving spirit, but more than
anything, I believe it was her rock solid belief in a loving God. She knew, through all the
hard moments in life, that she was not alone. She walked hand in hand with her Savior.
And even with her mistakes and faults that sometimes came to the surface, her keen sense
of opinion would not be changed; her ability to speak her mind was a distinct part of her
character. She was a woman who loved our God and loved those around her. If she saw a
need, she wanted to fill it. Marie leaves her mark on the hearts of many and she will be
deeply missed. Arrangements by Abbey Funeral Chapel 520-888-1111

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