Margaret Ann Moore

Margaret Ann Moore, of Wichita, passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the age of 87.

Margaret is remembered as a compassionate caregiver to all living things…be they plants, animals, or people. She planted seeds that blossomed into beautiful flowers. She carried with her a quiet, patient disposition throughout her life, humbly putting the needs of others before her own. She nurtured the young, befriend the lonely, and cared for the sick and elderly.

Born in 1938, Margaret grew up on a family farm in west Wichita with her mother, father, brother and sister. Her early life was surrounded by Horneckers, Rogers, and Dixons. She was a model 4-H student, cheerleader, and homecoming queen at Goddard schools before graduating in 1956 along with 14 classmates. She wrote in her senior yearbook, “The more I see of men, the more I like my dog.”

Margaret then followed in her mother’s footsteps and entered the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing operated by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. During nursing school, she made life-long friends, and upon graduation in 1958, she became a second-generation registered nurse.

In February1960 she married Howard Moore. They built a family and home together in west Wichita, on the same lands that she was raised. She and Howard were active members of the Goddard United Methodist Church. Her three children also graduated from Goddard High School.

In her nursing career that spanned over 40 years, Margaret cared for thousands of patients, and worked with multiple surgeons, including Dr. Harold Bowman, Dr. Willard Kiser, Dr. John Kiser, Dr. Paul Harrison, among others. She retired in 2005, last working at Kansas Surgical Associates.

In 2001, Margaret became a lovely grandmother who introduced her granddaughter to the adventures and music of VeggieTales, as well as the whimsical words of Runny Babbit. Their laugher and joy together created a bond that is eternal.

Upon retirement, Margaret became a volunteer at The Klothes Kloset, a program of United Methodist Open Door that provides free clothing for infants, children and adults in Wichita. She also faithfully tended to her flower gardens, including her favorite peonies and iris.

She and Howard moved to The Dove in Goddard in August 2024. There she established a new network of friends and became reconnected to those of her past, thereby completing the circle of life. She will be missed and always loved by her family and friends.

She is survived by sister Mary Lyon of Wichita, husband of 66 years Howard Moore, children Sheryl Moore of Kansas City, MO, Mike Moore and his spouse Joni Moore of Salado, TX, and Troy Moore and his spouse Jacqueline Guajardo of West Hartford, CT, and granddaughter Isabella Guajardo-Moore of Brooklyn, NY. She was predeceased by her parents Charles and Laverne Hornecker (1978 and 2000, respectively), her aunt Juanita Griffin (2004) and her brother David Hornecker (2006).

Funeral Service will be 10:00 am, Friday, June 5, 2026, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary, with burial to follow at Resthaven Cemetery. Services will be live streamed and available to view by clicking on the “Watch Funeral Service” button below.

Memorials have been established with Meals on Wheels, c/o a Senior Services of Wichita, 200 S. Walnut Street, Wichita, KS 67213 or online at https://giving.myparishsoft.io//app/giving/WeShare-20001694?tab=home.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” 

Ephesians 4:2–3

“And remember, my sentimental friend, that a heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.”

— The Wizard