Mary Ann Basler's Obituary
Mary Ann Mohlengraft Basler: 1927 to 2017: Long time Hillsborough Resident born in Covina, California and now with God.Mary Ann had memories of a wonderful small-town childhood, which included camping the entire summer every year on Newport Beach. She was a high school student during World War II when meat, butter, sugar and shoes were among other things rationed and it was a 99.8% total war effort. It also brought an opportunity for her to work at a young age as a credit supervisor at the May Co.At the completion of World War II in 1945, she witnessed the spontaneous eruption of joy, celebration and community hope. That fall, she went off to the University of Southern California where 1000’s of veterans enrolled. A couple of years later she met V-12 student, John M. Basler (USC, BS, MBA); they married in 1947 and enjoyed a wonderful marriage for 62 years loving each other while encouraging their sons David Basler and Jon Basler and subsequently Jon’s wife, Pamela Basler along with grandsons, Eric, Ryan and Jack Basler and Dave’s partner, Esmenia Dibble, all of whom survive her and will miss her guidance and support.Her lifelong commitment of service to others included a strong connection to her Alma Mater USC where she was President of Trojan Junior Auxiliary; President of Trojan Guild; Chair of the Alumnae Coordinating Council; Member of the USC Board of Governors and Member of the Trojan League of South Bay in Los Angeles.In the 50’s, the population of California exploded creating great opportunities for civic involvement including a licensed Fire & Casualty Insurance Agent; Organizer of the annual Palos Verdes Peninsula Council of Church’s Bloodmobile Drive; Board of Palos Verdes Peninsula Cooperative Nursery School; Junior Republican Chairman; Insurance Committee Chair of the L.A. County Federation of Republican Women, President of Palos Verdes Peninsula Federation of Republican Women; Member of the Republican State Central Committee and as a member of the District Attorney Advisory Council, County of L.A.A move to Northern California in the 1970’s brought other volunteer opportunities including as a member of the Assistance League of San Mateo; President, Volunteer Bureau of San Mateo County; President, Hillsborough Auxiliary Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco; a 28 year volunteer of Filoli (a National Trust property) where she developed the Jr. Ambassador program for High School Students and became a Master Gardener of San Mateo County along with being a Filoli Board member, and as President of the Sand Dollar Beach Homeowners Association.A private memorial service will be held at Skylawn Memorial Park officiated by Pastor Frank VanderZwan of Menlo Church. Memorial donations may be sent to the USC Scions Scholarship Fund or the USC Alumni Scholarship Fund c/o University of Southern California, Widney Alumni House, 635 Childs Way, L.A. CA 90089-0461; Filoli, 86 Canada Rd. Woodside, CA 94062 or Menlo Church, 950 Santa Cruz Ave. Menlo Park, CA 94025
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?