Mary Ann “Mimi” Moore, of Edgecomb, Maine; mother, friend, family counselor, children’s librarian, writer, poet and community volunteer, died peacefully, surrounded by family and encircled with love, at her daughter’s home in Tucson on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020. She was 91.

Mary Ann Moore was born in New York, New York, in 1928. Her mother Lee Johanboeke grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and her father Panos Stephens, of Greek descent, came from the Bosporus region of Constantinople. The importance of family ran deep throughout Mimi’s life. She traveled to Greece several times to visit her much loved relatives, often sharing the trips with her children.

Mimi grew up in Yonkers, New York with summers in Maine. She graduated with a BA at Rockford College, Illinois and married John R. Moore, the brother of her classmate, Helen Hood, in 1950. Mimi and John began their adventures together in Arizona, California, and Maryland before settling in Sudbury, Massachusetts. In the house on Concord Road she raised five children and became active in the schools, community theater, and the First Parish Church.

The family moved to California in 1973. Mimi began working with women’s groups and pursued her interest in family counseling; earning a master’s degree at California State University, Fullerton. In 1980 Mimi returned to New England, this time to Maine. With her new credentials she enjoyed the challenges of working as a family counselor, a school counselor, a children’s librarian and the director of Sheepscot Valley Children’s House. She joined the Midcoast Maine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, where she would also serve as a board member.

Mimi had a lifelong love affair with the written word. She always had a book (or three) at hand, her desk was covered with stories and poetry in process and she was a prolific writer of letters. She wrote two stories which were published in the “Maine Times” and self-published her memoir; “Ye Gods and Little Fishes; A Greek American Family Album.” She also continued her interest in learning to speak Greek, driving to Portland for lessons. It was a joy for her, at 91 years, to always be actively learning and keeping up with the news. Her family and close friends took great pleasure in her curiosity, thoughtfulness and imagination.

Mimi loved to swim in the ocean, take daily walks down her country road in Edgecomb with her beloved dog Niko and in winter, go on small hikes in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. She loved watching the birds arrive at her birdfeeder and to see the progression of flowers that bloomed in the spring. She loved travel, gatherings of friends, cooking family meals and going out to eat. She always had a little chocolate.

Mimi is survived by her five children: John Moore and wife Paula of Shutesbury, MA; Sara Ruopp and husband Douglas of Tucson, AZ; Stephen Moore of Edgecomb, ME; Elizabeth Rainer and husband Stephen Mailer of Sierra Madre, CA, and Earl Moore of Boothbay, ME. Also her grandchildren: Becca, Ryan, Helena, Leland, Cal and Teddy and great grandchildren: Josephine and Mateo.

Her brother, Alexander Stephens, of Sudbury, MA, died in 1987. His three children and their children were a precious part of her extended family.

A memorial service, which will take place in Maine, is being planned for the spring.