Maura Judith Rayes passed away June 2, 2025 at the age of 90. She is survived by her six children, Cathie, Sam (Marisela), Barbara (Doug), Blaise (Amy), Mike (Laura), Mary Beth; her grandchildren, George, Sam, José, Amber, Brandon, John, Paul, Steven, Tim, Sarah, Becca, David; her many nieces and nephews; and many friends as well. Maura was preceeded in death by her husband, George; her parents, George Slagle and Catherine Paul; her siblings Barbara, Kate, George, Guy, Bernadette; her granddaughter, Miriam; her baby niece and her nephews Blaise and James.

Maura was born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania and moved to Arizona as a young teenager in the 1940s for the sake of her sister's health. Her parents were founding members of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and she met her future husband, George, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church during an Ignations Club Catholic singles event. They married in 1957. George's Middle Eastern parents owned grocery stores. Maura was a Pennsylvania Dutch girl who loved to shop. A match made in Heaven!

Maura loved the truth, writing, reading, gardening, playing Scrabble, praising God, and healing prayer. She was a gift to any ministry that welcomed her, from running rummage sales for St. Jerome Catholic School in Phoenix to running the prayer line at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chandler. Maura sang in the church choir for many years. She served hundreds upon hundreds of homemade sack lunches to people living on the street. If there was a need within the family or within the community, Maura and George did their best to respond, out of their love for Jesus and their hope for the common good. Their example to their children was to work hard and be of good service.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Dan McBride, a life-long family friend, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 6, 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 230 W. Galveston St., in Chandler, Arizona. Maura will be interred next to her husband, George, at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025 at the Globe Cemetery. The family is grateful to Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery and Funeral Home for final arrangements.