Mary Florence (Himes) Conway passed away peacefully on March 5, 2019, having been surrounded by the loving presence and prayers of her family. Beloved wife of Joseph Harold, who predeceased her on July 29,1991. Loving Mother of Catherine (Frank) Barrack, Thomas (Lynne), Christopher (Lisa) and Peter Conway. Proud Grandmother of Michelle (Daniel) Gardner, Andrea (Gannon) Kennedy, Frank Anthony Barrack, Patrick, Andy, Stephen, Mara and Ava Conway. Proud Great Grandmother of Chiara, Rafael, Lucia Gardner, Stellan, Angelina, Kylan Kennedy. Predeceased by brothers James (Jane), George (Frances), and Richard (Mary Catherine).
Mary Florence was born on February 20, 1927 in Lansing Michigan, the daughter of Helen Catherine (Wells) and Harold Bernard Himes. As a young girl, Mary moved with her family to La Grange Illinois, outside of Chicago and there attended her parish Catholic elementary school and local Catholic High School. Mary later attended Rosary College in River Forest, Illinois where she enjoyed participating in college plays, often in the role as the female lead, and graduated with a double major in Chemistry and English. After graduation, Mary was hired by Lady Esther Cosmetics in Chicago, as one of their in house chemists, developing new products and perfecting current ones.
Following a fortunate introduction by her brother George, Mary met Joseph Harold Conway, and Mary and Joe were married on August 30, 1951, moving to the Detroit area where Joe was completing his degree in aeronautical engineering at the University of Detroit. Soon they moved to Tecumseh, Michigan where Joe worked on aeronautical design. In time Joe and Mary made the milestone decision to relocate to California, and moved to San Diego during the “aeronautics boom” of the mid 1950’s.
Mary was a talented homemaker and loving Mother. She enjoyed many hobbies and experienced treasured friendships which lasted for many years. She was active in the American Association of University Women, and particularly enjoyed the "Gourmet Group” in which she participated for over 40 years. Mary was an avid bridge player and enjoyed participating in bridge groups with dear and long lasting friends well into her late 80’s.
From her early years as a young Mother, Mary was a devoted parent volunteer in Catholic Education. Mary and Joe were early and active parishioners of the new Our Lady of Grace Parish in El Cajon, CA and quickly began participating as CCD (Confraternity of Catholic Doctrine) teachers. They also served in leadership roles in the OLG School Parent Teacher Group.
Mary also organized the Hot Lunch program at OLG and later, she helped to organize the Hot Lunch program at Saint Augustine High School as well. Additionally at “Saints”, Mary and Joe shared the role as Co-Presidents of the Austin Guild parents group, and Mary later devotedly and generously served on the Board of Trustees for the school and was selected as the First Woman Chair of the Saints Board of Trustees as well. Additionally Mary generously served Catholic Education at the Diocesan Level by accepting a long term appointment to the San Diego Diocesan Board of Education representing parents and families.
At home, Mary was an avid seamstress, master gardener, and an incredible home chef and baker. She enjoyed oil painting, afternoons at the San Diego Symphony and sailing on San Diego Bay with Joe and her family. Mary and her beloved Joe enjoyed traveling together, including relaxing trips to Lake Tahoe, as well as traveling abroad especially to Germany, Austria and Italy, as well as to Hawaii and cruises to the Greek Isles.
Mary and Joe became members of Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Parish in La Mesa in 1979, where Mary continued as a faithful parishioner for 40 years. Mary’s Funeral Mass was celebrated at St Martin’s on March 15, followed by internment at El Camino Memorial Park. She is dearly remembered for her vitality, her love for God and for her family, and for her very special zest for life. Words cannot express how very much she is deeply missed and was deeply loved by all of her friends and family.
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