Mary Mavi Machain

Mary Mavi Machain passed away at home in Tucson, AZ on November 18, 2023 at 96 years old. She was born on November 16, 1927 to Rosario and Severo Gozales in Bisbee, AZ, and married Joseph Machain on July 16, 1955. They were married 35 years until his death in 1990. She is survived by their 8 children, Joseph Machain (Suzanne), Carmen Machain-Earnest (Don), Girard Machain, Rosemary Machain, Andrew Machain (MaryEllen), Alexander Machain (Guadalupe), Regina Kelley (Shawn), and Veronica Machain; 15 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Growing up during the Depression, Mary worked hard to support her siblings and mother and continued her incredible work ethic into family life as she raised her children with her husband, Joe. She was unceasing in her love and devotion to her family and the Church, dedicating her days to their support and growth. Her life was characterized by her work, from laundress to business manager, from stay-at-home mom to entrepreneur as the Tortilla Queen of Bisbee, and from kissing “cocos” to dialysis technician for her husband. She worked tirelessly until her body no longer allowed, and then she became a prayer warrior.

Mary. Mom. Grandma. Muv. She was each of these, but most of all, she was a daughter of God. Her greatest love was the Triune God and our Blessed Mother; her second greatest love was her family. Our unity was her greatest source of joy. She loved us all together, but she loved us each individually as well. She could see the weaknesses and faults we didn’t want to admit and she could see the strengths and gifts we didn’t know we had. As times changed and the family grew, so did she. She fully accepted and embraced all of us, each of us, with joyful, unfailing love. In our successes, she held us close with content pride. In our trials, she held us even closer in steadfast, hopeful prayer. Faith and family first and foremost is the legacy, the lesson, and the challenge that she left us, and the best way we can honor her memory is to continue to grow in love for God and one another.

A rosary for Mary will be held at 9:30 a.m. on November 29, 2023 at Santa Cruz Catholic Church in Tucson, with the funeral Mass at 10:00 am. Internment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Bisbee, AZ at 2:00 p.m.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.funerariadelangeltucson.com for the Machain family.