Mary Alice Weyand

Born Mary Alice Denman on March 26, 1935 in Omaha, Nebraska to Ellen Ruth and Zene (Buck) Denman, Mary was the first-born of six Denman children. Young Mary served her family by taking care of her younger siblings during the many days that Ruth was ill in the hospital. At age 18, Mary wed her first husband and across-the-street neighbor, John Martin. After her marriage ended Mary raised her two boys, Randy and Mike, with grace and determination; always seeing the positive in every situation. Mary worked as a private school kindergarten teacher before joining the News Chronicle daily newspaper in Thousand Oaks as a proof-reader, culminating in promotions to Advertising and then to Outside Classified Sales, where she broke sales records and eventually was promoted to Classified Ad Manager. During this time Mary met widowed bachelor Henry (Hank) Weyand, fell in love and stepped in as “mom” to Hanks’ four older children. At the top of her news career, Mary accepted an offer of employment with the PennySaver in Simi Valley, eventually relocating her family to work at the Huntington Beach branch.

Mary went on to form her own successful marketing company in Fullerton CA, TMW Marketing, in which she served as President and CEO for twelve years. Upon the sale of TMW Marketing, Mary retired to pursue her love of writing for children. Mary focused on historical fiction for middle school children, and debuted her first book under the pen name Mary Martin Weyand. “Of Giants and Grizzlies,” published under her company ‘Write On For Kids’, about Sequoia National Park (with a cutting edge enhanced E-book) earned a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award and a Girl Scouts of Central California program patch.

During the last six years of her life, Mary devoted much of her time to caring for her youngest sister Linda who has end-stage Multiple Sclerosis. Mary was a committed Christian, attending Godspeak Calvary Chapel Thousand Oaks every Sunday. The day Mary went to be with the Lord, we found her kitchen-table Bible open to 1 Corinthians. She was indeed a true servant of God and steadfast encourager to all who knew her.

Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband and soul-mate Hank Weyand (1928-2010), her brothers Jim and Bob Denman, and her son David Weyand. She is survived by her siblings Anthony (Tony) Denman, Linda Denman and Janice (Denman) Campbell, children Randy Martin, Michael Martin, Lynn (Weyand) Swanson, Karen (Weyand) Brown and Ronny Weyand. Mary was so proud of her ten grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren!

Mary’s wish was to be put to rest with her husband Hank, who loved the ocean. A private burial at sea for the two of them is planned for the spring of 2025. In lieu of flowers, Mary would have loved a donation to the Sequoia Parks Conservancy of which there are many specific funds to choose from. (Sequoiaparksconservancy.org). Mary will be remembered for her tenacity, positive attitude, and love of family. We are certain that Mary has finally heard directly from our Lord, “In you I am well pleased!”