Mercedes Moore de Mare

Mercedes Moore de Mare of Saugerties, New York died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday morning Nov.17. at the age of 103.

Since the death of her husband George de Mare in 2005, she had resided in Sparta with her eldest son, Gregory Moore de Mare.

In addition to Gregory, age 70, she is survived by another son Malcolm Moore de Mare of Clinton, Massachusetts, 68 and a daughter Adrienne de Mare of Poughkeepsie, New York, 44. Her youngest son, Gilbert Healy de Mare, predeceased her. She is also survived by five great grandchildren: Michael de Mare, 44, of Englewood, New Jersey; Elizabeth de Mare Moore, 40, of Kent, Washington; Frank de Mare, 24, Alexander de Mare, 22 and Cassondra de Mare, 20, all of Massachusetts; five great-grandchildren, Donald Moore, 18; Timothy Moore, 15; Stephen Moore 13; and Amanda Moore, 11; all of Kent, Washington and several nieces and nephews.

Moore de Mare, the daughter of physicians Joseph Leslie Moore and Crucita Franco, was born in Brooklyn, New York where she graduated from Packer Collegiate Institute before enrolling in Smith College. At a time when few women even attended college, she continued her education after earning her bachelor’s degree from Smith by attending Yale University where she received a Master of Fine Arts degree in drama. In that same year 1936, she married fellow student George de Mare.

Moore de Mare then settled into a career as a scene designer on Broadway. She was most proud of her scenes for a production starring Imogene Coco.

A memorial service is being planned for Dec. 21, at 10:30 a.m.in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Massachusetts Avenue, Hawthorne, New Jersey.

The Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main St. in Sparta is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to goblefuneral.com.