Maria “Angie” Clay

Maria Angeles (Angie) Clay

(née Solis-Jarquin) of Tempe, AZ passed away peacefully on September 6, 2017. Angie is now reunited with her beloved husband of 60 years, Thomas Clay, who preceded her in death in September 2016. Angie emigrated to the U.S. (San Francisco, CA) from Nicaragua, C.A. in 1953. She learned English by attending night school and listening to popular music records. After learning English, she attended secretarial school. In 1955, she met her husband, Thomas Clay, who was stationed in San Francisco, with the U.S. Navy. They eloped to Reno, NV in 1956 and then took vows again in their shared Roman Catholic Church a month later. Angie created a warm home for all, where she welcomed family, friends, and guests regularly. She was an excellent cook and baker and had a knack for entertaining. She ran a successful childcare business for many years and influenced countless young children in a positive way. After Angie’s children had all been educated, Angie joined her husband Tom, traveling multi-nationally by his side, as he pursued career engineering projects that spanned the globe. Angie acclimated to a variety of cultures and made many new friends from East Asia, Western Europe, and South America. As a couple, Angie and Tom shared rare opportunities that were the highlight of their golden years. Angie’s marriage and family were the things that she held most dear. Angie is survived by siblings, Glenda Kayma, Claudia Clay, and Carlos Solis. Angie is also survived by her children: Thomas Clay; Michael Clay and his wife Karla Clay; Annette Gillette and her husband, Thomas Gillette; and Michelle Clay; grandchildren: Jennifer Clay; Kathryn Clay; Julie Clay; Bryant Newman and his fiancée, Carly Johnston; Victoria Clay; Alexandra Clay; Thomas Clay; Nicole Newman; and Kyle Newman.

A funeral mass will be held on October 20, 2017 at 10:00 am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church 1800 E. Libra Drive Tempe, AZ 85282.