Mary Louise Mutz

Mary Louise Mutz, age 92, peacefully passed away at St. John's Hospital in Camarillo, Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Beyond being a wife, mother of three, grandmother of four, and great grandmother of two, she was "Mother Mary" to many, many more.

Born March 12, 1932 in Ottumwa, Iowa, she was the only child of Gladys Anna Eaves and Orville "Blackie" Dean Martz. She spent her early life in Ottumwa and later relocated to California's central coast, graduating from San Luis Obispo High School in 1950. She met her husband of the last 70 years, Edward F. Mutz, at a Newman Club dance held at Mission San Luis Obispo. They were later married at the mission on June 20, 1954, the day after Edward graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. They honeymooned in Salinas and Monterey California.

With Ed's first engineering job at General Electric, the newlyweds toured multiple power generation facilities throughout the United States. They finally settling in Oxnard California in 1955 after Ed resigned from GE to work at Port Hueneme Naval base, transferring a few years later to Point Mugu Pacific Missile Test Center. In 1957 their first son Steven Mutz was born, followed in 1959 by their second son, Gary Mutz. In 1961 the family moved to a newly constructed home in Camarillo (still owned and occupied by the family). Their only daughter, Lisa Mutz, was born in 1963.

For the next twenty years Mary raised her children and tolerated a menagerie of caged pets, dogs, and free-ranging tortoises. As an involved mom, she managed kids in Cub Scout and Blue Bird groups. What free time she had for herself was spent enjoying women's and couple's bowling leagues. In addition, she volunteered as a "Candy-Striper" at the new Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo. Always happy to entertain, she prepared thousand of meals for family and friends visiting her home. On top of all the above, she made the family residence a warm, welcoming playground and source of snacks to dozens of neighborhood kids.

With her children raised and on with their lives, she began classes at Moorpark Community College, receiving an Associates Degree at a graduation ceremony along side her daughter Lisa in 1983. Soon afterwards, Mary began a 30-year career as an early childhood development teacher with multiple pre-schools in Camarillo. Her final location was at Mount Cross Child Development Center. Over those decades, Mary taught multiple generations of students. She worked into her 80's, slowing into a part-time role as more traveling and grandkid visits filled her days.

Ed and Mary were inseparable in their retirement years. They toured the United States in their various RVs, camped and danced with their wandering Rambling Squares group, attended Camarillo Moose Lodge events, enjoyed over twenty ocean cruises with friends, and made every effort to attend family events in California, Colorado, and Iowa. When the opportunity presented itself, Mary enjoyed visits to Las Vegas, Laughlin, and Santa Ynez for a little fun at Deuces Wild slot machines.

Making it to age 92 did come at a price. Mary was preceded in death by both her parents, her son Steven, and countless friends and family members. On the positive side, she is survived by her husband Edward, son Gary and his wife Linda, their children Keith Mutz, Corrie Heap( Mutz) and husband John, their daughters Kassidy and Hannah. She is also survived by daughter Lisa McKinley (Mutz) and husband Kelly, their daughter Rebecca and son Ryan.

As a wife to one lucky man, mother to a multitude of kids over the years, and a caring friend to all that knew her, Mother Mary will be dearly missed.

Funeral and Graveside services for Mary Mutz are scheduled for Monday, January 13, 2025 at Los Osos Valley Memorial Park, 2260 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo, California. Onsite viewing and chapel services begin at 10:00 am, with a graveside service beginning at 1:00pm. Please contact Los Osos Valley Memorial Park for information or updates: 805-528-1500