Mary L. Adkins' Obituary
Louise was born Mary Louise Matheson in Boulder, Colorado, on May 23, 1918. Her family moved to Greeley, Colorado, when she was very young. She and her two older brothers and older sister grew up in Greeley surrounded by family from her father's side and by their many friends. Her Father served as Weld County Justice of the Peace there for many years. After graduating from High School, Louise moved to Long Beach, California, to be with her sister-in-law while her husband, Jack (Louise's brother) served overseas. She found work as a telephone operator and loved living close to the beach. She met Wes, the love of her life through mutual friends and they married in January of 1944. Shortly after the war, Wes was discharged from the Navy and they moved in with his parents in San Jose while Wes built their first house. Louise spent her time there gardening and raising her two young children while Wes resumed his work as a painter and paper hanger in the family business. During the Korean War, Wes was called up to teach electronics to new recruits in Memphis, Tennessee. As soon as she learned to drive, Louise set off with her two small children (Kathie & Jack) to join Wes. After the Korean War, Wes found a job with Litton Industries in San Carlos so they moved to a brand new house in a new development in Redwood City where she lived until 2001. Louise and Wes found their church home at First Congregational Church when it was still located in downtown Redwood City and were thrilled when FCC started to build a new church right there in their neighborhood. Louise continued to be a homemaker and PTA and church volunteer until their youngest (Gene) was in school and then began her career with CSAA where she worked until her retirement in 1983. She was then free to travel with Wes and to spend lots of time with her five grandchildren. She also took up bowling and continued playing Bridge. Wes and Louise celebrated fifty years together with family and friends in 1994. Four years later, Wes passed away. Louise continued to live in the family home surrounded by her children and grandchildren and many friends. After recovering from a severe stroke in 2001, Louise and her youngest son, Gene, moved in with her daughter, Kathie, and the rest of Kathie's family. As her macular degeneration worsened, she had to give up her beloved Bridge but she continued going to worship and lunching with her Good Hope friends as often as possible. She also discovered books-on-tape and spent many afternoons 'reading' with one of the family cats lying next to her on the bed keeping her company. In addition to her many friends and extended family, Louise leaves her daughter, Kathie (and Kathie's husband, Larry), and her youngest son, Gene. Her oldest son, Jack died of leukemia in 2002. Jack's wife, Ann, remarried and both she and her husband, Errol, have remained a close part of the family. Louise also leaves her five grand children: Carol (and her husband, Kevin), Mark (and his husband, Brad), Mike, Scott (and his fiancÃ?©e Maggie) and Kevin. Louise was also blessed with two great granddaughters (Christine and Jessica).
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?