Mary Kathryn Redmond

Mary Kathryn Redmond was born on October 21,1964, to Jack Louis Redmond and June Elizabeth Watterson Redmond. She was the seventh of eight children and was welcomed with love and joy. At an early age she was faced with many obstacles, but she was never without a smile for everyone, lighting up every room she entered with her bright spirit.

Mary attended elementary school, high school and community college in Napa. After graduation, she began her professional life at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. She was the beautiful face greeting visitors and new employees as they entered the personnel office. As the base was closing down, she was in charge of transfers and reassignments for hundreds of base workers. She was also one the last faces they saw as they were leaving and many said her kind and gentle spirit helped ease their transitions. In 1996, she moved to her own little cottage in Monterey where she was hired as an administrative assistant at the Post Naval Graduate School. After retirement in 2005, Mary happily followed several of her sisters in relocating to sunny San Diego.

One of Mary’s happiest places over the years was driving her vintage Mustangs, going fast, windows down and favorite music playing on the radio. This girl had no fear, even while racing at Sears Point Raceway. Babies and children also brought great joy to Mary. She loved them purely and unconditionally and in return, they happily gravitated to their sweet Aunt Mary’s lap. She shared the beauty of this world through her photography, especially her epic sunset and hummingbird photos. She encouraged us all to slow down and take in the little moments that happen each and every day that we otherwise might miss.

Many of the people she met on her life journey immediately felt a deep connection with Mary and often became lifelong friends. Whether she met someone fifty years ago or just last month, she held a special spot in her heart for each person who crossed her path. Her radiant spirit and loving heart were an inspiration to everyone she met.

Our darling Mary passed away at sunset on February 9, 2023 after a short illness. She was surrounded by a roomful of broken hearts who loved her dearly. She was predeceased by her dear father, Jack. She is survived by her mother, June, her seven siblings, Cynthia Sproule, Nancy McClain (Bruce), David Redmond (Kim), Denise Stiewig (Bill), Julia Michelmore (Rick), John Redmond, Ann Gammon (Kenny), eleven nieces and nephews, eleven grand nieces and nephews, and one great grand niece. She also leaves behind her adoring cat, Ollie, who brought her great joy and many laughs.

As difficult as this is for those she leaves behind, we know that she is happily dancing in the clouds with our loving Dad. We will continue to see their beautiful souls reflected in every sunset.

A Celebration of Life will be held March 11, 2023 at 1:00 pm at the Cypress View Mortuary in San Diego, California.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Mary’s memory to one of the following organizations whose efforts were close to her heart.

Scripps Mercy Outreach Surgical Team (M.O.S.T), providing life-changing surgeries to impoverished children and adults in Mexico who would not otherwise have access to these procedures.

Scripps Mercy Outreach Surgical Team - Donations:

https://donate.scripps.org/giving/scrippshealth

Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation, through awareness, education, and action, their mission is to influence families, educators, elected officials and the medical community to recognize the incidence of youth sudden cardiac arrest and the importance of preventative care through cardiac risk assessment and heart screenings, of cardiac emergency preparedness through automated external defibrillators (AED), CPR/AED training and a practiced and coordinated response plan anywhere youth congregate.

Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation - Donations:

https://epsavealife.org/donate/

Helen Woodward Animal Center, in support of their animal rescue and adoption efforts or their therapeutic equine riding program.

Helen Woodward Animal Center - Donations:

https://my.animalcenter.org/give/49430/?_ga=2#!/donation/checkout