Mercedes Moore de Mare

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. - Mercedes Moore de Mare, of Saugerties, N.Y., died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday morning, Nov. 17, 2013, at the age of 103.

Since the death of her husband, George de Mare, on Jan. 31, 2005, she had resided in Sparta, N.J., with her eldest son, Gregory Moore de Mare. In addition to Gregory, age 70, she is survived by another son, Malcolm Moore de Mare, of Clinton, Mass., 68, and a daughter, Adrienne de Mare, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., 44. Her youngest son, Gilbert Healy de Mare, predeceased her. She also is survived by five grandchildren: Michael de Mare, 44, of Englewood, N.J.; Elizabeth de Mare Moore, 40, of Kent, Wash.; Frank de Mare, 24, Alexander de Mare, 22, and Cassondra de Mare, 20, all of Massachusetts; four great-grandchildren: Donald Moore, 18; Timothy Moore, 15; Stephen Moore, 13; and Amanda Moore, 11; all of Kent, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. de Mare, the daughter of physicians Joseph Leslie Moore and Crucita Franco, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she graduated from Packer Collegiate Institute before enrolling in Smith College. At a time when few women even attended college, she continued her education after earning her bachelor's degree from Smith by attending Yale University where she received a Master of Fine Arts degree in drama. In the same year, 1936, she married fellow student George de Mare. Ever the trendsetter, Mrs. de Mare then settled into a career as a scene designer on Broadway. She was most proud of her scenes for a production starring Imogene Coca. Mrs. de Mare left her career in 1942 when she started her family. Thereafter she devoted her time to her family and to artistic hobbies, primarily painting.

A memorial service is being planned for 10:30 a.m. Dec. 21, in St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Massachusetts Avenue, Hawthorne, N.J. Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main St., Sparta, N.J., is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to goblefuneral.com.