Mari Ann Jobe

Mari Ann Richard Jobe was a woman who filled every room with warmth, wit, and an undeniable spark. Born in Brush, Colorado, to Dora Lehman Richard and Charles Henry Richard, she was the youngest of five children, with four older brothers: Kenneth, Willard, Don, and Loren.

From a young age, Mari Ann was an insatiable reader and lifelong learner. At just 16, she set off for Stephens College in Columbia, MO, where she attended finishing school and earned a college degree in education. Her passion for teaching led her to the classroom, where she nurtured the minds and hearts of third graders at St. Gabriel's Catholic School.

Mari Ann had a zest for life, always ready to dive into a new book, a fresh challenge, or a different hobby. She found joy in friendships and community — whether at bridge club, book club, “ladies who lunch,” or her investment club. She had a playful curiosity and loved trying new things, from community center classes to porcelain doll making. A true animal lover, Mari Ann had a special place in her heart for cats, rescuing and caring for many over the years.

But above all, she pored herself into her family. As a mother, Mari Ann was loving, supportive, and deeply involved in the lives of her four children and their spouses — Don & Mary Jane, Dick & Judy, Dave & Jeanette, and Diane & Jim. She was proud to watch all of her grandchildren grow into adulthood and graduate college: Xander, Amanda & Travis, Shelbi, and Colten. She served as the matriarch of the Richard family for generations, beloved by her 15 nephews and extended family.

Her adventurous spirit knew no age. Whether soaring in Dick’s small plane or racing down a zipline in Costa Rica well into her 80s, Mari Ann never shied away from new experiences. She remained sharp, sassy, and kind throughout her 96 years — a woman who never judged, always listened, and made everyone around her feel truly seen, heard, and loved.

In her final days, Mari Ann left this world just as gracefully as she lived in it — peaceful and cherished, under a blanket of snow, surrounded by the family she held so dear.