Stella Mae Moshier

Stella Mae Moshier passed away peacefully at home March 11th, on the morning of her 98th birthday. She was born in Stonewall, Oklahoma, the eldest of 6 children to Georgia ( Brown) Rowe and Charles H. Rowe. Losing her mother at an early age, Mom and her siblings were separated and sent to various relatives to be raised during the throes of the Depression. Because of this life-changing experience, she was forever committed to the importance and value of children and family. At the age of 19, she married Tom F. Moshier on October 22, 1937. Dad enjoyed telling the story that as a second grader, he had pointed her out to a classmate and said he was going to marry "that girl" after he grew up. Mom always laughed at this, denying that she even remembered him from grade school. During their marriage, they had four children: Thomas Charles, Robert Dale, George Ann and James Edwin. After Dad's army service overseas during WWII, they decided to move to Washington to purchase an apple orchard; however, after a stopover in Bakersfield, relatives convinced them to settle here instead. Dad became a building contractor, and Mom continued to be a stay-at-home-mother. As busy as she always seemed to be, she still had time to do errands for Dad as he developed his business. Mom always took the time to listen to her children and later, to her grandchildren never hesitant about saying what they needed to hear. Mom was an accomplished, self-taught seamstress who designed and made beautiful clothing for her family. She was the chauffeur, cheerleader, and enthusiastic supporter of all her children's activities and endeavors, involved in their lives as they approached adulthood. She was also a warm, gracious hostess who welcomed her children's friends and many nieces and nephews into her home over the years. She was famous for her wonderful cooking especially those 3-tiered banana cakes and pecan pies! Mom truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures: spending time with family and friends; reading the newspaper, novels, and magazines; playing the slots in Las Vegas; lunching and browsing antique stores with her sister Mary Nell; and faithfully watching Dodger baseball games. Mom absolutely loved birthdays and holidays when she would indulge her children and family with special gifts and wonderful home-cooked meals. The bond of love between Mom and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was strong; she made each one feel special. She was especially thankful for her devoted grandson, Tony, who helped make it possible for her to remain in her own home as her health steadily declined. Mom had a remarkable ability to deal with the losses that did befall her and her family. Her youngest son, Jim, was killed in Vietnam; Tom, her beloved husband of 45 years died; her second son, Dale, passed away unexpectedly; and tragically, her 18 year old grandson, Eric, (Jim's only child) was killed by a drunk driver. Mom was also preceded in death by her only brother, C.H. Rowe, and two sisters, Jean Held and Juanita during this particular span of time in her long life, Through all of this, Mom remained stoic, positive, and resilient, showing great dignity in the deeply-felt grief these losses caused. She always professed that despite the tragedies, she had had a good life filled with love and many happy memories. Left to honor Stella and remember her with love are children; Thomas C. Moshier (Gloria) and George Ann DeMarco; grandchildren: Thomas C. Moshier, Jr., Tracey Brown (Gordon), Vincent DeMarco, III (Lorena), and James Anthony DeMarco; 9 great grandchildren; sisters, Mary Nell Dawe and Pauline Ring; sister-in-law, Irene Rowe; daughter-in-law Jan Lundy; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the Procare Hospice Staff, especially Myrna, for their care and compassion. A viewing will be held Friday, March 18 at Alma Mortuary 2130 East California Avenue on Friday evening from 6:00p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A private graveside service (Mom's request) will be held Saturday, March 19 at Hillcrest Cemetary at 11:30.

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