Mary Louise Gattas

Dec. 3, 1931 - August 9, 2025

Upland, CA

Mary was born in Dubuque, Iowa to Jacob Meyer and Marie Vosberg Meyer. She, along with her three sisters (Betty, Shirley and Bert) and three brothers (Jake, Jim and Rollie) grew up on the family farm in Dubuque, Iowa.

Mary graduated from St. Columbkilles High School and then attended nursing school. On December 26, 1952 she became a registered nurse under the provisions of "The Illinois Nursing Act". While working at Hines VA Hospital in Hines, Illinois, Mary met her future loving husband, Dr. Fred Gattas. They were married on October 22, 1955 in Dubuque, Iowa and set off on a driving honeymoon to sunny Florida.

Mary had a bright personality and was known for her warmth and caring nature always with a beautiful smile. She loved playing Bridge with her friends and excelled at bowling. Golfing was one of her favorite activities. She won the Women's Club Championship at Red Hill Country Club ten times and achieved seven Hole-In-Ones. Mary served on the ladies board for several years, including many years as historian and president from 1987 to 1989. Gardening was a passion of hers. She loved tending to her beautiful roses as well as at Red Hill Country Club.

A love of books led Mary and eight friends to create The Bookworm of Upland in 1974, a quaint and much-loved bookstore situated in historic downtown Upland. An intense love for travel found Mary and her husband in places such as Ireland, Venice and Hawaii, to name a few.

Mary also spent time volunteering as the school nurse at St. Joseph School where her children attended and volunteering at San Antonio Community Hospital in the gift shop. She was a wonderful, inspirational mother and role-model for her daughters.

Mary is survived by her four children, Janet, Jeanine, Robert (and his wife Sharon) and Chrissy, granddaughter Brenda and was preceded in death by her husband Fred and grandson Brian. Per her request there will be no services.