Mary Rita (O’Gorman) Moran, 80, of Worcester, passed away peacefully Saturday, December 2, 2017 at the Jewish Healthcare Center after a long illness with her family at her side.

Mary was born in Worcester November 16, 1937 to the late Thomas H. O’Gorman and Rita A. (Santo) O’Gorman. She attended Worcester Public Schools graduating from North High School in 1956. Mary continued her education at Worcester State College earning her B.S. degree in Education in 1960 and her Master’s Degree in Education in 1972.

Mary is survived by her loving family, her husband of 55 years James Moran, her daughter Rita and her husband Jeff Greiman, her daughter Mary and her husband Anthony Losapio, two grandsons James and Christopher Greiman, her brother John O’Gorman and her sister-in-law Sister Teresa Moran SSJ and many nieces and nephews.

Mary taught for 33 years in the Worcester Public Schools. She shared her enthusiasm with her students and they responded with a buoyed sense of self accomplishment. Mary was an exceptional teacher. She loved what she did and it showed. Her greatest satisfaction was watching her students experience success and a feeling of self-worth. Mary retired in the year 2000 from Burncoat Elementary School.

Mary loved life and was fun to be with. She loved her family. Everything centered around family especially her grandsons Jimmy and Chris. She enjoyed her many friends in “get togethers,” dining, traveling, New Year’s Eve and shopping. Most of all she treasured summers at Chatham on Cape Cod.

Mary was an excellent swimmer. While still in high school she became a swimming instructor at the Worcester Girls Club on Winthrop Street. In the summer months, she was a lifeguard for the City of Worcester at Indian Lake Park where many young Morans learned swimming skills from Aunt Mary.

Mary’s smile, her love of people and positive energy will be sorely missed but never forgotten.

Mary was blessed to not only be cared for by her loving family during her illness, but when they were no longer able to do so, she was cared for by an incredible team of individuals including the dedicated staff at the Jewish Healthcare Center and Dodge Park Rest Home. Mary’s family is deeply appreciative of the love, kindness and respect that she enjoyed from this extended family during the years of her illness.

Calling hours are Wednesday, December 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. The funeral will be Thursday, December 7, from the funeral home with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Stephen’s Church, 357 Grafton St., Worcester. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the St. John’s Food Pantry, 44 Temple St., Worcester, MA 01604, or the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.