Maria Frances Currie passed away Thursday, September 5, 2013 at her home in Yuma, AZ.
She was born Maria Frances Flohr on May 30, 1926 in New York City. She grew up in New Jersey and earned her Bachelor of Science degree at N.Y.U. Shortly after, she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Maria became a Captain and trained pilots on aircraft instrumentation. It was at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. that she met her future husband John Thomas (Jack) Currie. Jack was a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force. They were both veterans of the Korean conflict.
They were just shy of celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary when he passed away in June of this year. After their Air Force commitment, Maria and Jack lived in the Phoenix area while Jack earned his Bachelor of Science degree from A.S.U. They then moved to Yuma, AZ. Maria taught civics for most of her career at Gila Vista Jr. High School. She joined the American Legion Post 19 and was eventually elected Post 19, and then AZ State Commander of the American Legion.
She was active in the Girls and Boys State Scholarship awards. Anyone who knew Maria was aware of her patriotism and enthusiasm for functions at the American Legion throughout her life. Maria had a close knit group of girlfriends that remained close to her until the end of her life. She truly treasured their friendships. She was civic minded and was involved in numerous charities.
Maria was preceded in death by her husband, John T. Currie; brother, George Flohr; sons, John Brian and Stephen Paul Currie and grandson, Glenn Patrick Currie II. She is survived by sons, Keith Thomas, Glenn Patrick, Mathew David (Mary) and Sean Michael Currie; daughter, Chris (Robert) Houseknecht; grandsons, Antoine (Tony) and Nicholas (Nick) Currie and Jesse Kingsland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Girls and Boys State Scholarship Fund through the American Legion Post 19, 2575 S. Virginia Dr. Yuma AZ. 85364. Graveside service and burial to be held at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd. Phoenix, AZ. 85024. Services will be at 10:30AM on Friday, September 20, 2013.
Johnson Mortuary, 1415 S. First Avenue, in Yuma, AZ was in charge of the local arrangements.
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