Mary E. Andrews, a long-time resident of Green Valley, Arizona, passed away on February 6, 2022, from natural causes, just two months shy of her 100 th birthday. Her final days were spent at the hospice wing of the Veterans Affairs medical center in Tucson. Mary was a veteran of World War II.

Born in 1922 in Baltimore, MD, Mary lived an adventurous life shaped by far-flung travel and experience. She was fiercely independent. She was also a keen observer of her world near and far and attentive to national and international politics. Mary was always disturbed by social injustices and wasn't hesitant to call them out.

Mary E. Thorp married George D. Andrews in 1944. The couple met in 1943 while Mary was in the Navy working as an aircraft marshaller, directing aircraft landings and takeoffs, at the Naval base in Anacostia, Washington, D.C. Her future husband, George, was a navigator at the  same base. Before joining the military, Mary graduated from high school in Portland, OR and  attended Oregon State University in Corvallis.

The couple had two children, Michael and Elizabeth.

After her husband died in 1972 Mary lived the better part of the next 20 years in Grenada,  an island in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean also known as the "Spice Isle."  Mary loved everything about the Grenadian and larger Caribbean ways of life. She loved  the steel band music, the beaches, the folk art depicting local scenes and island festivities. She  enjoyed traveling to nearby islands like the tiny gem, Carriacou, preferring to get there by way of  an old banana boat. She treasured her small collection of Grenadian folk art that adorned the  walls of her southwest home.

She remained in Grenada until 1980, leaving due to civil unrest. She returned in 1988 and  lived there until 1996.

Her career was in retail sales at large department stores in Portland, the greater Boston  area, Pittsburgh, Newport Beach, and Tucson. During her years in Grenada, Mary taught sales  skills and marketing to at-risk students at the island's New Life Organization (NEWLO). She  also opened a small café with the students near the school.

Starting in 1996, divided her time between Woodstock, NY, where she had long-time friends, and Green Valley, AZ. Ultimately, in her eighties, she gave up her long, solo drives from  the east coast and settled in Green Valley. Mary continued to travel for many years, however. A  life-long learner, her destinations invariably reflected her interest in history and local cultures.  One such trip brought her to LaVonne's Fish Camp on the beach in Kotzebue, Alaska. On  another trip to Santa Fe, NM, she learned about Pueblo ceremonies and the history of Spanish  settlement.

She also enjoyed shopping trips to Nogales, Mexico, if only to see the latest items created  for sale to tourists. She was always on the lookout for interesting places to investigate when  friends and family came to visit.

Mary traveled across southern Arizona as well to acquaint herself firsthand with the borderland regions, and the issues people there faced.

In Green Valley, Mary participated in the library book club and the Gem Club. She  enjoyed golfing, water aerobics, reading mysteries, and watching her favorite NBA games on  television.

A passionate dog lover, Mary inscribed a favorite quote in an address book decades ago:  "Heaven is a place where, when you get there, all the dogs you have ever loved run to greet  you."

Mary's German Shepherd, Lili, lived with her in Grenada and the U.S. Mary owned a  succession of rescued or retired show Corgis in Green Valley—Emma, Maggie, and Sydney. Mary will be missed by her frequent canine visitors Geronimo and Treska.

Mary's family sends special thanks to the caregivers at Mary's memory care home and to  the nurses and aides at the VA Hospice wing during Mary's last days for their kindness and  attention. She will be missed by her dear friend Donna Ferrigno, who was always attentive to  Mary's comfort and health care during the last years of her life.

Mary was predeceased by her parents James Hull Patton, Jr. and Elizabeth Whitney Bates  of Maryland and Pennsylvania and her stepfather, Clarence W. Thorp of Ohio, who adopted her during her early childhood.

She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth, (Karen Sturnick); son, Michael (Kathy);  grandchildren, Christopher Andrews (Jennifer), and Andy Andrews (Mindy Zablocki); great grandchildren Madelynne, Will, Rex and Luc. Mary's final resting place will be with her  husband in Forest Hills cemetery in the Boston area.

Donations may be made in Mary's memory to The Animal League of Green Valley, Arizona.