Mary Jane Maruca

Obituary Mary Maruca Mary Jane Maruca (nee Maunder) died peacefully on Sunday, December 9, 2007, after a long illness. She had been a resident of the Orchard Park Nursing Home. She was born in Tacoma on February 13, 1921, to Henry and Ellen Maunder, and attended local public schools and Clover Park High School. During World War II, Mary worked at the Post Exchange at Fort Lewis. She later was a baker in the Tacoma public schools. Her baking skills made her famous in the family for what they called "Aunt Mary's chocolate cake," as well as for her delicious cream pies. Mary was an avid reader, walker, and bingo player. Mary was happily married to the late Dick Maruca, also of Tacoma, for more than fifty years, and was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Together, they were members of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Eagles Aerie. Mary and Dick had two sons, Tom of Tacoma and Rick of Iowa. In addition to her sons, she is survived by her sister, Mildred (Maunder) Byrd, and three grandsons, Todd, Joey and Aaron (Emily) Maruca, all of Tacoma, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was a kind and loving wife, mother and grandmother who will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dick, her parents, and her brothers and sisters; Jack Maunder, Ann (Maunder) Tiffany, Bill Maunder, Harry Maunder, Eleanor Maunder and Margaret (Maunder) Blair. Mary was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church at 9:00 am on Wednesday, December 12, 2007. Rosary will be recited at Gaffney Funeral Home Chapel at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2007. Interment at Calvary Cemetery.