HARDING, Mary Catherine

Mary Catherine Harding Passed away May 8, 2009. A Tucson area resident for 15 years, she was born Mary Catherine Bonham on July 15, 1926 in Davenport, Iowa. Married in 1947 to her life-long mate, she graduated from nursing school that same year, beginning a 40 year career in public service as a registered nurse; eventually retiring as a correctional services nurse from the Oklahoma State Reformatory in Granite. A devoted wife, she could often be found alongside her spouse volunteering in the community with the Jaycees and Janes and Lions Club. As a dedicated mother she was a fixture at her children's activities, spending much of her time as a Girl Scout leader and most notably as a volunteer "band aid" for the Alta Loma, California High School "Braves" marching band. As a grandmother, she always made time for baseball games, fishing trips, school plays, and music recitals. Her love was unconditional and absolute. Her guidance was sure and flexible. She spent a lifetime giving of herself and in return she received the love and respect of all those who knew her. . Preceded in death by her devoted husband, Marshall C. Harding; survived by daughters, Frances Harding (California), Marsha Anderson and husband, Alan "Rick" (Arizona), Carlene "Bobbi" Robertson and husband, William "Bud" (Virginia); grandchildren, Wade Morgan (Arizona), Heather Williams and Shawn Royaltey (Washington); one "love-adopted" grandchild, JD Smeltzer (Arizona) as well as five great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be loved, missed and in our hearts always. And though we wish we could have had more time with her, as she always used to say: "If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride." "...And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?" (On Death, from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran) We all love and miss you.