NORTH CANAAN — Cicely Mary Moore died on April 26, 2015, at Geer Nursing and Rehabilitation after a long struggle with dementia. She was 101 years old. With her family at her bedside, she slipped away as she had lived: quietly, gently and peacefully.
A resident of Southampton, Long Island, in New York for more than 50 years, she was active in the Presbyterian Church choir. She was a member of the Happy Homemakers, where she taught Japanese embroidery, chair caning and reverse painting on glass. One of her Japanese embroidery masterpieces and a plaque commemorating her 100th birthday hangs in Cardinal Court at Geer.
Mrs. Moore was well known for her incomparable pies and artistic cakes. She loved to sing. She and her husband were avid square and round dancers, as well as lifelong bird watchers and nature lovers.
At 14, Mary traveled to London to become a lady’s maid to a Member of Parliament’s wife. She later returned to her home in Clevedon, Somerset, England to become a cake decorator in a highly regarded local bakery.
In 1948, the Moore family, emigrated to Canada after years of bombings and deprivation in World War II. They came to the United States in 1950.
Mary came to Falls Village after the passing of her beloved husband of 67 years, Thomas Allestree Moore. She was also predeceased by eight of her nine siblings.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in law, Carolyn and Ed Calandro of Falls Village; a grandson and his wife, Jamie and Dympna Calandro and great grandson, Bryson, of Long Island; her 95-year-old sister Sybil “Poppy” Bunyan of Clevedon, England; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Everyone who knew her loved her for her sweetness, warmth and good-natured humor. Right up to the end, when asked how she was doing, her answer was always, “Fit as a fiddle, and ready for love.”
Our world is a little diminished without her presence.
A gift to the Alzheimer’s Association in her memory would be appreciated by her family.
