MaryAnn “Molly” Moore, 98

MaryAnn was born July 6, 1927 in the family home north of Johnstown, NE. She was the sixth of nine children of Oscar (Dick) Finley and Rosa (Brown) Finley. Mary-Ann was known as Molly to her family and friends. She was named after her Grandma MaryAnn Finley who was often called Molly as well. Rosa had a difficult delivery with Molly and Grandma Sarah Brown saved Molly’s life by dipping her in hot and cold water until she took her first breath.

Molly attended elementary school in Johnstown. She went to Ainsworth High School for her senior year, graduating in 1945. After graduation she went to California, trained and worked as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone Company.

On September 16, 1946 in Valentine, NE, Molly married the love of her life Derald C. Moore of Ainsworth. This marriage was blessed with three daughters: DiAnn (1947), Donna (1950) and DeVonne (1954).

In 1957 they moved to Burley, ID where MaryAnn worked for a potato factory as the quality inspector. Then in 1960, the family moved back to Ainsworth. Once again, Molly was employed by Bell Telephone until they modernized.

Molly and Derald opened and/or ran several businesses contributing to the Ainsworth community: Hedrick’s Service Station, Skinner’s Service Station, D&B Cafe, Ainsworth Bowl, and Super 8 Motel. Additionally, throughout the years Molly had many other jobs: the nursing home as a nurse aide and in the laundry, the hospital as an aide and dietitian, and the Home Health Medical Equipment Company in customer service, delivery and office documentation. Even with her other jobs she always found time to babysit for family and friends.

With her husband, Molly traveled all over the United States visiting her children and grandchildren. In 1999, daughter DiAnn planned a trip to Europe. Molly took her two sisters, Doriene and Viva and their husbands. Molly’s two granddaughters Michelle and Angela and their families were stationed at Aviano Air Base in Italy and hosted them all. It was a life-time experience Molly and all would never forget. Molly loved music and her father taught her to dance the Irish jig while he played the fiddle. She sang, played piano and violin. She loved to dance, especially the fox trot and waltz with Derald or with any other family member who was willing. She encouraged her children and enrolled them in dancing school for tap and ballet as well as piano and organ.

Molly was preceded in death by her husband and siblings, three brothers Delvin Dennis Finley, Lohn DaLern Finley and Richard (Dick) Jay Finley; five sisters Evalyn June Bolich, Unice Unadell Smith, Julia Mae Kaup, Doriene Fernau, and Viva Deane Fernau. She was also preceded by a grandson Michael Shawn Kegley; son-inlaw David Wayne McNally; and an infant great grandson, A.J. Davis.

She is survived by her daughters DiAnn McNally of Springfield, MO, Donna Kegley and DeVonne Lytle both of Ainsworth; two grandsons Neil Whitney (Heidi) of Council Bluffs, IA and Tony Shelley of Blue Springs, MO; granddaughters Michelle (Gary) Chance of Bellevue, NE, Kimberly (Chris) Noll of Fort Mill, SC, Angela (Wesley) Middleton of Kansas City, MO, Gayle (Travis) Cordray of Mt. Vernon, MO and Paula (Amos) Davis of Lincoln, NE; as well as 34 great grandchildren, nine great-great grandchildren, and one greatgreat- great grandchild and a host of well-loved nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services were held at Ainsworth United Methodist Church with Pastor Mike Eurit officiating with graveside following at Ainsworth Cemetery. Holmes Funeral Home of Valentine was entrusted with the arrangements.