Maria Tereza Clark

Maria Tereza Clark, a beloved sister, mother and grandmother, passed away on January 30, 2026, at the age of 63. The oldest of four children to Laszlo and Anna Bajnoczy, Maria was born on May 12, 1962, in Bern, Switzerland. Shortly after, her brother, Paul was born and later the family moved to Greece, where her sister Patricia was born. At age 5, her family immigrated to Schenectady, New York, where her youngest brother, John, was born. In New York, she learned a new culture and how to speak a new language where she stayed until she graduated high school.

After graduating early, Maria decided to pursue a career in the military and joined the United States Air Force in 1979, at the age of 17. She spent 10 years in the military with 8 of them being active duty and 2 years reservist duty. During her service, she performed duties as a weather specialist and reached the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In 1981, while being stationed in Illinois, Maria met Randy Clark, whom she married after knowing him for two weeks. Randy was being transferred to Germany and the two decided to marry so they could stay together. Shortly after being married, she was able to be stationed in Germany to be with her husband. After two years of marriage, they had their daughter Jennifer and another year later their son, James. The family moved to Arizona in 1987, where she lived until her death. Randy and Maria stayed married for 30 years before divorcing in 2012.

After the military, Maria worked at Motorola for 20 years, starting as an operator and moving up to be a manufacturing manager. In 2007, she became a real estate agent until she retired. During her life she enjoyed reading, hiking, cooking, playing Uno and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her siblings: Paul (Susan), Patricia, and John; her children: Jennifer McManaway (David) and James Clark; her grandchildren: Josh McManaway, Ben Clark, Tyler McManaway, and Mia Clark.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday March 19, 2026, at 10:30am, at Meldrum Mortuary & Crematory, 52 North Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201.

Funeral reception to follow at 12pm at Veterans Oasis Park Phainopepla Pavillion, 4050 East Chandler Heights Rd, Chandler, AZ 85249.