Mary Miriam Nanez

Mary Miriam Nanez, née Moore, née Clarke died in her 95th year on June 4, 2018. She was born on Nov 16, 1923 in Preston, Lancashire, England to Wilfrid Clarke, a steam-locomotive engineer and Annie Clarke née Cook.

Mary, or Miriam as we called her, was known for her puckish sense of humor and an unerring ability to distinguish mutton from lamb, she delighted her family and friends with her square dancing, her feistiness, jokes, and her dry wit. Miriam often said that she was not nosey—“I just like to know!” Those self-same family and friends strove to stay on her good side to avoid the dreaded accusation of being called, ‘Gormless!’ by this fine woman.

As a 17-year old girl working as a packer in a war-time ammunition plant in London, Miriam was injured in an air raid by a bomb blast and hospitalized during the 1940 German bombing campaign called ‘The Blitz’. Those injuries to her hip and hearing plagued Miriam her entire life. In fact, she often remarked that, “Growing old isn’t for sissies!”

Arriving in the United States, this delicate English flower wilted during her first summer of unremitting 100º Texas heat. ‘Can people really live in this oven called Texas?’ she wondered. Miriam did indeed transplant well, and soon she was in love with her adopted Texas, and growing beautiful perennials, stunning annuals and succulent fruit trees. It was considered quite an honor to receive a cutting or a treasured plant from Miriam.

When her husband Severo retired from the Air Force they lived on a cattle ranch. Miriam made butter and cheese, and was busy from morning to night—in fact, if you wanted to know something—just ask Miriam! Many years ago Miriam began working as a server at the Lackland Air Force Base Officers Club to earn money to purchase heifers for her favorite bull. Did that make our Miriam a ‘bovine pimp’?!

After Severo’s death in 2000, Miriam left her ranch life behind her. A typical day in Miriam’s life began upon waking in the morning, taking a thyroid pill, waiting thirty minutes then drinking a big mug of coffee mixed with lots of milk while enjoying a slice of raisin cinnamon bread. Miriam then watched the telly until Eileen Carter telephoned at 10:00 a.m. to confirm she was okay.

Miriam had four favorite restaurants: Joy Chinese Buffet (she was very well known there), The Chippy (Sea Island Shrimp House), Outback Steakhouse for when she fancied a steak, and the old standby, Jim’s Restaurant, where the staff adored her. And oh, we mustn’t forget how Miriam loved her Baskin-Robbins Coffee ice cream and all the flavors of Blue Bunny ice cream she kept in her freezer.

Louis and Anita Nanez, along with Pamela Windsberg and Mitchell Geller provided transport for her many(!) medical appointments. In 2017 Miriam successfully battled breast cancer, undergoing a lumpectomy and radiation.

Miriam lived independently at home where her garden, pets and her heart were. With no cognitive issues, she remained independent and ambulatory to the very end surrounded by family and friends. A remarkable woman; A remarkable life. Miriam, we all miss you . . .