1 Upcoming Event
Memorial Gathering
JAN
24
Saturday, January 24, 2026
1:00 - 4:00 pm
6833 South Juniper Street, Tempe, AZ 85283
Marie Ries (nee Sterling) passed away in Tempe, AZ on December 17, 2025 at the age of 93. She was born to Burrall & Yolanda Sterling (nee Savino) in the Bronx, NYC on September 18, 1932.
Marie is survived by four of her children: Daniel, Catherine, Diana and Barbara. She is preceded in death by two of her children, Elizabeth and Paul. She was grandmother to Casey, Cris and Calle and great grandmother to Graysen and Jett.
Marie graduated 2 years early in 1948 from Cathedral High School in the Bronx, NYC. She went on to study Chemistry at Fordham University before being accepted into the Electrical Engineering program at NYU. She went on to work in the aviation industry for some years before leaving to raise a family of 6 children. In later years, she went back to work in electrical engineering in aviation, solar energy and circuit boards.
Marie had a passion for garden design and could always be found working outside in the yard. She could also be found in the neighbors' trees with pruning shears if she thought they needed her attention.
Marie is remembered with love by the many people who have crossed her path in life: family, friends, neighbors and many of her children's friends. She had a soft spot for animals, so we children grew up with many different types of animals roaming about the house and yard. Marie also fed homeless people at the family dinner table and sometimes housed them in the garage or a pop-up camper in the yard. One daughter came home from summer vacation to find a homeless, pregnant teen sleeping in her bed.
That was mom. We loved her quirky nature and will miss her unique combination of intelligence, empathy and eccentricities.
Services will be private, but the family is hosting a memorial remembrance with snacks on Saturday, January 24th, 2026 at 6833 S. Juniper Street in Tempe. Arrive anytime between 1pm - 4pm.
A special thanks to the ALS Arizona Association, who provided support and care for Marie and her family these last 15 years. Marie had PLS, a long-term form of ALS.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Marie Ries can be sent to ALS Arizona (ALSAZ.org).
Marie is survived by four of her children: Daniel, Catherine, Diana and Barbara. She is preceded in death by two of her children, Elizabeth and Paul. She was grandmother to Casey, Cris and Calle and great grandmother to Graysen and Jett.
Marie graduated 2 years early in 1948 from Cathedral High School in the Bronx, NYC. She went on to study Chemistry at Fordham University before being accepted into the Electrical Engineering program at NYU. She went on to work in the aviation industry for some years before leaving to raise a family of 6 children. In later years, she went back to work in electrical engineering in aviation, solar energy and circuit boards.
Marie had a passion for garden design and could always be found working outside in the yard. She could also be found in the neighbors' trees with pruning shears if she thought they needed her attention.
Marie is remembered with love by the many people who have crossed her path in life: family, friends, neighbors and many of her children's friends. She had a soft spot for animals, so we children grew up with many different types of animals roaming about the house and yard. Marie also fed homeless people at the family dinner table and sometimes housed them in the garage or a pop-up camper in the yard. One daughter came home from summer vacation to find a homeless, pregnant teen sleeping in her bed.
That was mom. We loved her quirky nature and will miss her unique combination of intelligence, empathy and eccentricities.
Services will be private, but the family is hosting a memorial remembrance with snacks on Saturday, January 24th, 2026 at 6833 S. Juniper Street in Tempe. Arrive anytime between 1pm - 4pm.
A special thanks to the ALS Arizona Association, who provided support and care for Marie and her family these last 15 years. Marie had PLS, a long-term form of ALS.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Marie Ries can be sent to ALS Arizona (ALSAZ.org).
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marie S Ries, please visit our flower store.
Marie S Ries's Guestbook
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