Mary Marguerite Knock

TACNA, AZ.-Believed to be one of the oldest working women in Arizona, Mary Marguerite Knock was found Wednesday in her favorite chair with her working shoes by her side. She kept her motel open everyday for the last 35 years.

She was just shy of 89.

"The reason she lived so long was because she loved what she did everyday," said granddaughter, Keli Moore.

"Chaparral Motel, Marguerite speaking," she would say as she answered the phone. Marguerite was a woman with the spunk and spirit of a teenager. She was an independent woman whom owned a motel and two service stations. She was a business woman, a mother, a wife, a sister, a friend, a grandmother, a great-grandmother and an inspiration to us all. She was proud of her two sons who reside in Sedona.

"She was the best mother you could ever have in every way shape and form," said son, George Moore.

"I will miss conversations with my best friend and mom," said son, Tom Moore.

She was born Jan. 24, 1919, in Coquille, OR. One of eight children, she was seventh in line.

"She was the first woman on the Antelope School Board, serving two terms," said son, Tom Moore. Always active in her community, she never missed a game or activity regarding her sons, and her family had always been her number one priority.

"Marguerite always looked at life with the glass half full finding the best and most positive attributes in everyone and every situation," said daughter-in-law, Kathie Moore.

"She was a woman of very few words, but when she spoke people listened," said grandson, Bradley Moore.

"She had a positive attitude about everything in life and never had a mean word about anyone," daughter-in-law, Claudine Moore said.

One sister, Lois Riley; two sons, George and Tom Moore; two daughters-in-law, Claudine and Kathie Moore; six grandchildren, Jeffrey, Keli, Bradley, Thomas, James and McKenzie Moore; and two great-grandchildren, Chelsea Marguerite and Bryce Moore survive her.

She survived two husbands, George Moore, the father of her two sons; and Clyde Knock, her husband and business partner for over 30 years.

Over 200 people will gather at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20th for Mary Marguerite Knock's funeral at Sunset Vista Funeral Home, 11357 East 40th Street, Yuma, AZ followed with a celebration of her life at the Basque restaurant in Tacna at 2 p.m.

"I will miss playing cards with the greatest card shark of them all," said granddaughter, McKenzie Moore.

"We will miss the trips to Oregon, searching for the best blackberries to make jam," said grandsons, Thomas and James Moore.

She was a true marvel and will be missed.