Mary Ann Ochoa
With an undaunted heart and a spirit at peace, Mary Ann Ochoa passed away in hospice on August 31, 2021 at the age of 79 from complications related to Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD). Born in Buffalo, New York, Mary Ann moved to Phoenix with her family to start her high school years. She attended Phoenix College where she met her future husband Ralph, and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Mary Ann and Ralph were married in Phoenix and for fifty-seven years they filled their lives with adventure, family and fun.
Mary Ann and Ralph settled in Phoenix where they raised their children and made a permanent home. Mary Ann was a devoted mother, actively supporting all areas of her children’s scholastic, athletic, and creative endeavors. While raising children, she also helped lead school fundraising events and volunteered with childrens’ programs at the Phoenix Zoo and Phoenix Botanical Garden that were focused on the education and care for the unique desert environment around Phoenix. Mary Ann spent her professional career in Human Resources and General Management at Yellowfront Stores, the Dial Corporation and the Arizona Livestock Show.
Throughout her lifetime Mary Ann enjoyed gardening, tennis, hiking, travel, reading and poetry. She was also skilled in sewing and embroidery, traditions passed down from her mother and grandmother. In later years, Mary Ann became involved with her and Ralph’s family histories and extensive research resulted in a comprehensive story extending back to the 1800s.
But it was writing poetry that helped Mary Ann through difficult times and illuminated her lived experience. A battle with breast cancer brought forth an insight that would inform her outlook forever after. To quote “I have become more outgoing and interested in reaching out in a positive way to people around me, including strangers. I’ve decided that the value of having positive feelings about others lies in passing it on to them.” It was Mary Ann’s open mind, empathy for many views, and generosity that endeared her to everyone who knew her.
Beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Mary Ann is survived by daughter Ellena, son-in-law Ted, and grandchildren Sofia and Dylan; daughter Valerie, son-in-law Rich, and grandchildren Isabella, Gabriella Brianna, and Christiana; son Michael and grandchildren Yael and Esther; and a sister Rosemary.
A memorial service will be held in January. In lieu of gifts please consider a donation to the Desert Botanical Garden, a nonprofit committed to education, research, and conservation of desert plants. Please reach out to a family member for more details.