Michael Moriarity Rash

Mickey Babbitt Rash

Mickey Babbitt Rash passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on October 9, 2026, at a care home in Tucson, Arizona.

Mickey was born Micheal Kirby Moriarty on September 23, 1934, in Dallas, Texas, to James Rickard Moriarty Jr. and Lorena Isadore Kirby. Both were of Irish descent.

Mickey was the first wife of Joseph Robert Babbitt Jr. whom she had met while attending the University of Arizona. They were married September 13, 1955. Together they had seven children: Mary Catherine, Micheal Joseph, Sarah Elizabeth, David George, Viola Suzanne, John Kennedy and Thomas Patrick. They also raised the younger of Mickey’s two brothers, Malcolm Moriarty, beginning at age eleven. Mickey and Joe’s oldest son died of cancer in 1966 at the age of nine.

In addition to being a prolific homemaker, some of Mickey’s best accomplishments include winning the title of Mrs. Arizona in 1959, working as the weather lady for a local Flagstaff TV station, and learning to speak Spanish fluently through attending Mexican University. This helped her to enter the workforce after her divorce from Joe Babbitt in 1975.

Mickey moved to Tucson, Arizona, where she worked for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. She loved the desert and taking trips to Mexico. After retiring, she built a cabin at her beloved Cholla Bay and lived there for ten years, making many friends and creating fond memories for her family. She loved Mexico and the culture, but she found the upkeep of her cabin challenging in her later years and moved back to Tucson.

At 80 years old Mickey married her long-time friend from her Mexico adventures, Donald Eugene Rash. Early in the marriage they went on many camping adventures and cruises. One trip took them to Ireland which fulfilled Mickey’s lifelong wish for to see her family crest. Don passed in 2024. Unfortunately, Mickey was suffering from dementia and spent her last days in a care home.

Mickey was a remarkable woman who overcame a lot of adversity. She has left us with many cherished memories.

Mickey is survived by her sister-in-law and two nephews on the Moriarty side; her six children and two living sons-in-law; a daughter in law; 12 grandchildren; a step grandson; at least 11 great-grandchildren and two step great- grandchildren.

No decision on a memorial or celebration of life service has been made. Mickey outlived many of the people who knew her well. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Alzheimer’s/dementia research or a charity of your choice.