Mary E. Moberly

Mary Eileen Moberly, age 87, passed away peacefully on September 3, 2025, at Brookdale Skyline of Colorado Springs, Colorado, after a courageous battle with recurrent cerebral strokes and angiosarcoma.

Mary was born on July 11, 1938, in Jetmore, Kansas, to Victor and Mabel Hawkinson. She grew up active in 4H and band and graduated as Salutatorian of her senior class. While working as a waitress at her local diner, she met the love of her life, Darrel Moberly. Mary and Darrel got married in Ness City, Kansas, on August 19, 1956, and then moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mary began working at New York Life Insurance, while Darrel worked as an ironworker for Elward Construction. Mary and Darrel had three children—Vicki, Mike, and Kathy—whom Mary cherished deeply. Mary loved being a mother, and she always made sure every kid in the neighborhood had a place to go and someone to talk to.

After taking time to focus on raising her children, Mary went to college and received her associate’s degree in sociology at Colorado State University Pueblo. After college, she transitioned to teaching math at Sproul Jr. High. In 1977, she found her true calling as an elementary school educator at King Elementary. She taught 3rd grade for one year and then kindergarten for 17 years. She was known for being an incredible teacher, and she helped countless children start their education off on the right foot. Beloved by students and colleagues alike, she earned Teacher of the Year at the Second Annual Colorado Awards Banquet in 1988. Mary retired from teaching in 1995 and, in 2011, was honored as a District 3 Legend. She loved being an educator and was always very proud of her students, often keeping in contact and sharing in their joys long after they left her classroom.

Even outside the classroom, Mary’s life was filled with creativity and diligence. She was an avid musician, playing clarinet in high school and the piano for most of her life. She played piano and organ for Good Shepherd United Methodist Church for many years in addition to teaching bible school and helping found the church’s Women’s Group. She was a talented seamstress, crafting beautiful outfits for her friends and family, including several wedding dresses. She also loved to read; she always had a stack of books nearby that she was making progress through. She even stayed informed about both her and Darrel’s hometowns, as well as their local community, by reading the newspapers daily.

Mary was a phenomenal genealogist and historian. She created thorough records of her and Darrel’s lineages, tracing their family trees several generations back. At family reunions, she would display her findings and share her knowledge with relatives about their heritage. Her research even took her to Norway, where she met extended family and visited the land of her ancestors. In addition to Norway, Mary and Darrel traveled all over the world together, seeing the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Giza, the Eiffel Tower, the Panama Canal, Jerusalem, and countless other wonders. Closer to home, Mary and Darrel were die-hard Broncos fans, having season tickets since the 70’s. They were even honored on the Broncos’ field for their lifelong loyalty and support. Mary attended all eight of the team’s Super Bowls.

Mary had an amazing ability to become friends with anyone in mere minutes because of her genuine interest, empathy, and compassion. Her generosity cannot be exceeded, and she touched the lives of more people than any of us can really know. To her students she was “Mrs. Moberly,” to her church she was “Miss Mary,” and to many more she was known lovingly as “Grandma Mary.” She will be dearly missed by her community. Her strength, love, joy, and wisdom will continue to inspire those whose lives she has impacted.

She is survived by her children, Michael (Sue) Moberly and Kathy Moberly-Taylor; her brother and sister, Jon (Janice) Hawkinson and Donna Hawkinson Gray; her grandchildren, Danny (Ashley) Moberly, Richard (Lisa) Moberly, Ryan (Jenn) Moberly, Randy (Amanda) Moberly, Kenny Melanson, and Natalia Taylor; and great-grandchildren, Rylin Moberly, Wyatt Moberly, Ambrosia Moberly, Skyler Moberly, Cloe Sue Moberly, and Mercury Moberly. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, as well as countless friends.

Mary Moberly's service will be at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church of Colorado Springs on September 26th at 11:30 am. Her burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery at 3 pm following the service.