Mary M. Aranda, age 94, of Savannah passed away Thursday, February 19th, 2015 at St. Joseph's Hospital .
A native of Savannah, she was the daughter of Joseph Thomas Aranda and Jane Elizabeth Hernandez Aranda.
Mary Aranda lived a multi-faceted life - as a mother, a trusted relative, registered nurse, volunteer, and traveler. She graduated from St. Joseph's School of Nursing in 1942 and worked as a nurse, predominately for the U.S. Army, for 47 years. She was a Sacristan at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist for 20 years and served on the Parish Council for two terms. Her many accomplishments as a volunteer included beginning an effort to get basic supplies for daily hygiene to Savannah's homeless population and the "Pray for Priest" program. She also traveled widely, sometimes by air, but once by month-long auto trip across the Yukon and Alaska during winter. She enriched everyone she met.
She is survived by her son, Chester Spell and daughter, Thomasine Shaw.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5 to 7 P.M. at Bonaventure Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday at 10 A.M. from The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, with burial to follow at Catholic Cemetery.
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