Gladys Marydell Quist, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 15th. She was 94 years old. She loved God and she loved others. Mary was born on October 15th, 1928 in Mt. Ida, Arkansas. She graduated from Clovis high school in 1946 where she was active in theater arts and attended Fresno State.
On July 27th, 1946, she met the love of her life, Alvin Quist. They were engaged by Christmas and married on June 1st, 1947. Mary’s love and devotion went into her family as a wife for 66 years and to son Jim, and daughters Debbie and Marsha. She loved taking care of and spending time with her 10 grandchildren. She would always attend their school and sporting events, recitals, and family birthday parties enjoying their activities and interests.
Her husband grew up in a home filled with strong Danish influences which carried over to her home and inspired her to adopt a lifestyle steeped in Danish heritage and culture. Time spent with the Quist family in Denmark as well as having the pleasure of hosting them in her home were some of her fondest memories.
Mary had the gift of hospitality making holidays and traditions special with her Danish Christmas Eve dinner, Easter picnics and egg hunts, and 4th of July BBQ, swimming and fireworks. She would also make a favorite dinner and birthday cake for family birthdays. Her love for cooking, baking and sewing led her to become the Home Arts Superintendent at the Big Fresno Fair for many years.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents Austin and Mary Briggs, her brothers Floyd Briggs, Bill Briggs, Tom Briggs, Dale Briggs and Ed Briggs; and her husband Alvin J. Quist.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Jim and Lisa Quist, Deborah and Troy Brandt, Marsha and Joel Bishop; her grandchildren, Amanda Quist, Dustin Quist and wife Andrea, Alexandra Barrett and husband Eric, AJ Quist and wife Brianna, Grant Bishop and wife Jennie, Jacob Quist and wife Rachel, Rebecca Quist, Cameron Bishop, Olivia Brandt, Isabella Brandt; and great-grandchildren Gunnar Quist, Aksel Quist, Georgia Quist, Marigold Quist, Briggs Bishop, Ruth Barrett and Jensen Quist.
Remembrances may be made to "Evangel Home". 137 N. Yosemite Ave., Fresno, CA., 93701
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stephensandbean.com for the Quist family.
