Mary Louise Nason

Mary Louise was born March 24, 1957 in Dearborn Michigan to Arthur Otto and Mary Louise Grunow (nee Mackey). She lived in Michigan as a young child and at 4 years old, the family of 7 – consisting of brothers, Robert (Bob) and Art, and sisters, Marilyn and Virginia – relocated to South El Monte, California. She graduated from Montclair High School in 1975 and soon after joined the U.S. Army where she met her husband of 40 years, Danny Nason.

Mary and Danny had three daughters: Stephanie, born in 1978, Danielle in 1979 and Michelle in 1981. She received her teaching credential at 40 years old. After teaching her first year at Cottonwood Elementary in Hesperia, CA, Mary was hired at Caruthers Elementary where she worked for almost 20 years teaching Kindergarten, 5th Grade, and finally, 1st Grade. Teaching was her passion and she made wonderful friends and memories during her time at Caruthers.

In addition to teaching, Mary loved sewing, quilting, working on home improvement projects, and spending time with her husband, daughters, and 9 grandchildren. She was a light for everyone who knew her, always positive, and known for her contagious laugh. Holidays were a special time for Mary – especially Halloween and Christmas where her home was elaborately decorated and the family loved to gather. Even in their 30s, Mary’s daughters looked forward to coming over Christmas morning to get their stockings filled with goodies from Mom.

In 2016, Mary was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, but that didn’t stop her from continuing to live life to the fullest. She enjoyed spending time with friends going to dinner and movies and accompanying her family on camping trips, music festivals, and her grandchildren’s performances. On Wednesday, January 17, Mary’s life ended much too soon from complications of cancer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Art and Mary Grunow.

She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Danny; her daughters, Stephanie Bolton and husband David, Danielle Nason and Calvin Gong, Michelle Nason and Joe Neves; her grandchildren, Mandy Hamilton, Christopher Nason, Grace, Natalie, and Bryce Bolton, Brayden and Landon Neves, and Madeleine and Claire Gong; her sisters, Marilyn Gunnerson and husband Al, Virginia Barnicoat and husband Dave; her brothers, Bob Grunow and wife Mary, and Art Grunow and wife Lisa; numerous nieces and nephews and beloved friends and students.

A Rosary and Mass will take place at 9:00 and 9:30 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and reception of life at Classic Catering in Clovis, CA. She will be laid to rest in a private, family ceremony at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Fresno, CA.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the Nason family.