Marilyn "Moe" Christine Troff

Marilyn (“Moe”) Christine Troff, 79, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, December 26, 2024 from an acute complication related to chronic COPD and cancer. 

Moe had spent the preceding day enjoying one last Christmas at home with her daughter, Eileen Street and her son, Robert Rood.

Marilyn was born March 30, 1945 in South Haven, Michigan to Thomas Darling and Alberta Verna Gardner Darling. She grew up and went to school in southwestern Michigan, surrounded by two brothers and three sisters. At sixteen, shortly after the death of her father, Marilyn married Robert James Rood and they eventually settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They had a daughter, Eileen and son, Robert, as well as two sons, Richard and Paul, who didn’t survive infancy. Marilyn was later divorced from Robert Rood and married Gregory Nelson. They had no children.

Marilyn (“Moe”) was a devoted mother to her children and when she became a very young grandmother to Christina, she was just as devoted to her care. In addition, Moe also had a career outside her home. In Albuquerque, she began managing apartment complexes, which was to be her primary career for the remainder of her working life. Subsequent to her divorce from Gregory Nelson, Moe moved back to her home state of Michigan.

Continuing her career in apartment management in Michigan, Moe met a handsome tenant named Harm David Troff, Sr. They were married on June 6, 1987 and she finally got the large family she had always craved when Harm’s three sons and two daughters began calling her “Mom” and giving her grandchildren. Harm and Moe spent 32 loving years as each others’ soulmates, eventually moving back to Rio Rancho, New Mexico for retirement, until Harm’s death in 2019.

Moe enjoyed reading (especially her bible), collecting Beauty and the Beast figurines and antique pitchers and basins, knitting, spending time with family and watching game shows. She could gaze at photos of loved ones for hours. Moe was also a woman of extraordinary faith who took pleasure and comfort in attending church services once or twice a week, even when she had to do so remotely.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Darling and Alberta Verna Gardner Darling; her sisters, Francis Stoike and Patricia Watkins; her brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Florence Darling; her infant sons, Richard and Paul Rood; and her beloved dog, Ralf.

She is survived by her daughter, Eileen Street; her daughter, Tammy Phillips; her son, Harm Troff, Jr.; her son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Karen Rood; her daughter and son-in-law, Jackie and Mark Arnold; her son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Kelly Troff; her son and daughter-in-law, David and Sheri Troff; her brother and sister-in-law, Dwayne and Virginia Darling; her brother-in-law, Otto Watkins; her sister, Phyllis Alexander; eighteen grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; and many, many friends. Not to mention the many nieces and nephews who knew her as “Uncle Moe”. 

The family would like to thank Ashley, Jeff and Debbie from Ambercare Hospice for all their care and kindness during Moe’s final months. Those planning an expression of sympathy, please consider the American Cancer Society. 

In accordance with Moe’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial celebration of Moe’s life will be held at Celebration Baptist Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico on January 24, 2025 at 11am.