Mary Irene Wertz

Mary was born on January 10, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, to Thomas and Lorene Bingham, their fifth child.

Her life was vibrant and full, spanning nearly a century. In September 1946, she married William Harold Wertz, and the couple settled in Keokuk, Iowa, where they welcomed four children before relocating to Southern California in 1956.

Living in Southern California brought new opportunities for family outings and adventures. Her children fondly remember the wonderful road trip vacations through the desert communities of the Southwest. Her husband was an avid beachgoer, and family outings to Carlsbad Beach were especially memorable, often lasting from dawn until dusk. While the rest of the family enjoyed the sunshine, fair-skinned Mary was usually tucked safely beneath the beach umbrella.

At St. Louis of France Catholic Church in La Puente, Mary was deeply involved in parish life. She served as president of the Women's Council and helped plan the church's annual fundraising fiestas. She especially loved dreaming up each year's theme and bringing together the booths, rides, and entertainment that made the fiestas such memorable community occasions.

As her children grew older, Mary began working as a medical office assistant in a private medical practice, a position she held for more than twenty-five years. Her warm and helpful manner earned her the affectionate nickname "Nurse Mary" among the patients.

Mary placed great importance on education, particularly Catholic elementary and high school education for her children. She encouraged and helped support their pursuit of college degrees and took great pride in the accomplishments of her daughters and son.

Mary always had a keen sense of fashion and took pride in being well dressed, a standard she maintained for her children as well. Even on a modest family income, she managed to keep everyone looking their best. On visits back to Chicago, her relatives called her "Mary from California," a nickname carrying both admiration and perhaps a little envy for the colorful, modern West Coast flair she brought with her.

Growing up in a large family of sixteen children, Mary cherished the annual summer family reunions held in a local Chicago park, where she delighted in reconnecting with relatives and meeting the newest nieces and nephews. She also enjoyed making handmade crafts, including jewelry and wooden bookends.

A devoted Catholic throughout her life, Mary instilled her strong religious beliefs and values in her family. In her backyard garden stood a three-foot-tall marble statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom she had a special devotion.

During the final four years of her life in Modesto, Mary made her home in a nursing care facility, where visits from family three times a week remained a cherished part of her routine.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William H. Wertz; her grandson, Clark Eugene Wertz; her parents, five brothers and six sisters.

Mary is survived by her beloved children: Linda Partlow of Modesto, California; Laura Kealaiki (Henry) of Molokai, Hawaii; William H. Wertz Jr. (Marcia) of Victorville, California; and Nancy Weiford (John) of Modesto, California.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: William (Na'Lani) Kealaiki, Henry Kealaiki, Robbyn Elaine Wertz, Lucas Adam Wertz, John Torres, April Kahles, Michelle Torres, and Genevieve Whitsock; her brothers Harry, Mike, and Chuck; her sister Elizabeth "Bunny"; 24 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary will be privately interred in the Garden of Guadalupe at Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson, California. Donations in her memory are encouraged to Community Hospice & Health Services, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95355.

Mary approached life with optimism, affection, and an irrepressible sense of humor. Even at 95, she retained the cheerful outlook that had carried her through the years. With her characteristic humor and a touch of defiance, she often remarked, "I know our faith tells us that everyone must die, but somehow I felt that in my case there would be an exception."