Mary Jesse Lemos, 86-years-old, passed on Sunday, November 22, 2020, surrounded by family at her home in Colton, CA. Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God, along with love and prayers from family and friends carried her through her later years of life.
Born in San Bernardino, on October 25, 1934, she was the daughter of Catherine and Lucio Galarza. Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Tony Lemos; siblings Frank Galarza, Betty (Marquez), and Lupe (De Haro). She is survived by her siblings Henry Galarza, and Lillian (King).
Mary married the love of her life, Tony Lemos. They settled in Colton in the late 50s to raise their children, Geri (Bruce), Tony Lemos, Rick Lemos, Mike Lemos, John Lemos, and step daughters Lupe (Montoya) and Bonnie (Saldana). Mary was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to her 19 grandchildren, and 30 great grandchildren.
Mary served her family for many years as a stay-at-home wife and mother. Once her children were older, she joined the Colton Unified School District until she retired 25 years later in 1998. With her will to stay busy, she also worked at the Sun Telegram.
First and foremost, she enjoyed her time she spent serving the Lord at Colton First Assembly which she helped rebuild in the 1980’s. In her walk of faith she joyfully volunteered as a Sunday School Teacher and served with the women's prison ministry, adopt a block, safe home for women, men’s prayer breakfast, pot lucks, and in any other ministry where she was called to serve others. Ultimately, she was a walking vessel of showing God’s love. Mary will be remembered as a Godly wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend who served everyone, especially her family.
Through her later years of life, she began to develop dementia but there were two things that would never be robbed from her memory, her love for God and her family.
Gathering of family and friends will be held at Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3520 E Washington St, Colton, CA 92324, on Thursday, December 17, 2020. Service is from 1:00pm-2:00pm and gravesite is at 2:30pm.
Mary Lemos was a dedicated, passionate, godly woman who is going to be greatly missed by all her loved ones. She grew up in Pasadena, CA, before she moved to Del Rosa in San Bernardino, CA. Family has always been an integral part of her life as she grew up enjoying moments spent with her siblings.
She met the love of her life, Tony, and they resided in Colton, CA, raising their children. She cared for, loved, and nourished her children throughout their lives. Her entire life was dedicated to being a devoted wife, loving mother, and servant of the Lord. Mary served her family for many years as a stay-at-home wife and mother. Once her children were older, she joined the Colton Unified School District and worked there until she retired 25 years later in 1998. With her will to stay busy, she also worked at the Sun Telegram newspaper.
A word that closely describes Mary is present. She was present as a best friend to her husband as she made sure he was always well fed with homemade food (her tortillas were a favorite), and well taken care of. They both enjoyed music, especially their favorite song, Sabor A Mi. She was present for her children as a stay-at-home mom for many years, and even when working, she made it a priority to attend many of their extracurricular events. Lastly, she was present for her grandchildren whenever they needed her, whether it was to teach them to swim or take them on an adventure.
One of Mary‘s favorite things to do was to visit her sister Betty and husband Leonard, and the nieces and nephews who lived in San Pedro. She would haul her kids--and later her grandkids--in her Cadillac across the St. Vincent bridge (this was the highlight of the drive for the kids) to their house for a weekend stay. Although sitting around the kitchen table visiting with Betty was probably her favorite part of the visit, there were so many special memories made when going to places like Ports O’ Call Village, the Queen Mary, and Cabrillo Beach. There are other fond memories that her family remembers, such as going to Big Bear for the 4th of July, an event that eventually led to them to get a little place in Big Bear for the family to visit/vacation. Taking train rides to Olvera Street, tram rides in Palm Springs, and a family trip to New York were just a few of the things that stood out. But if asked members individually, her family would say the sweetest memories were all made spending the many many holidays at their home in Colton.
Besides being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mary was passionate about being a servant of God. She enjoyed her time she spent serving the Lord at Colton First Assembly which she helped rebuild in the 1980’s. In her walk of faith, she joyfully volunteered as a Sunday School Teacher and served with the women's prison ministry, Adopt a Block, a safe home for women, the men’s prayer breakfast, countless pot lucks, and in any other ministry where she was called to serve others. She even had the opportunity to visit Israel where she was baptized in the Jordan River. Ultimately, she was a walking vessel for showing God’s love.
During her later years of life, she began to develop dementia, but there were two things that would never be robbed from her memory: her love for God and her family.
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