Mary Alice Milward

Mary Alice Tressel and her twin brother were born on December 27, 1927 at St. Vincent’s Hospital @ 2131 West 3 rd Street; Los Angeles, California. They were joyfully welcomed by their parents Alice and Fred Tressel. 8 years later their other son and brother Freddy was born to complete their family. Her father dutifully worked in the steel industry while their mother, Alice a retired RN from WW One stayed home to raise the children in the house Fred built with his son, Ronald at 153 Junipero Drive, San Gabriel. Mary Alice and Ronald were close and went to grammar school and daily mass at Mission School and the Mission Cathedral in San Gabriel. They were inseparable as they grew up together until Ronald went to war. Mary Alice attended high school at Alhambra High School while Ronald went to Cathedral High School. Ronald went on to college after the war while Mary Alice maintained prestigious secretarial jobs which she was very proud of. Mary Alice used her learned office skills to secure several secretarial jobs during the war. She was able to save several thousand dollars which she later gave the love of her life, Charles to start their successful business: Bushnell Ribbon. Mary had many suitors as she was incredibly beautiful but fell head over heels in love with Charles. They met over a donut and a cup of coffee at the Claret Club in 1948. They were quickly engaged and married soon thereafter. They raised three children and have seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Fast forward to many events which always included a trailer, a motor home and lots of fun that was free on rafts, Dinty-Moore stew sometimes, and trips with cats and dogs sometimes confronted by a bear or two. Many times he would reward us for being good to a beautiful dinner passing through Las Vegas. He wouldn't stand for any coffee shops or hamburger stands and we used china on camping trips which was warmed in the trailer oven. I do remember carrying buckets of water in Yellowstone for washing the dishes. My dad would drive for hours to far-away places like Yellowstone or Ensenada in always a new Cadillac pulling a trailer (on a Friday after school) with Mary Alice guiding him with maps and laughter while we counted cars in the back seat for a penny a car it seemed. I think my dad stopped that when the ?#‎s? got high. I will never forget those days...so very fun which taught me how to live any way with or without money. My dad needed my mom to organize the office so she went back to work when we were in high school and reorganized the office while my dad did the sales and ran the shop. Jim started, then Paul and the company grew tremendously. Julia started in 94 riding the coattails of success. It's a family thing that we all benefitted from. Mary Alice was so very efficient and the same ladies work here today following her models of work methods. Mary Alice's dream came true of being with Charles 24/7 and he likewise. They had so much fun together even while working. After a successful career never ending and wonderful life Charles suffered a massive stroke in 2001 and Mary took loving care of him until he passed 5 years later. She later was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2009. She was a very kind and loving person until she passed on April 11, 2015. She knew she would be reunited with her parents, Charles, her brother, and others including all the animals she loved over the years especially Jackson who stayed by her side during my Charles’ illness. She treated them as her own children with love and kindness. Mary Alice was devoted to the love of her life forever and stood by Charles and the children through thick and thin with a special devotion to the Lord every day. Charles put money away for her care in case she ever needed it. It worked out so that she was safe and comfortable. He invested wisely in real estate with the help of professionals. He always had beautiful homes and it paid off for him. After he passed we had to sell their home in Friendly Hills, Whittier and it sold right away. It was one of the saddest things ever to leave forever after many years of life there. She died peacefully on April 11 @ 6:30 after being strong mentally and physically knowing she was safe in the loving hands of her caretaker, Mary who took care of her for 6 years. Alzheimer's patients actually turn warm and dependent on those that care for them I believe. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the Alzheimer's Association, Orange County Chapter for guiding us to Mary who took care of her with love and dignity for 6 years in Y. Linda, CA. Mary was like a sister to me and I will miss her. She takes care of her patients 24/7 even though she has her own family. Her daughter Paulina was with Mary Alice when she took her last breath Saturnday night. Julia Kinmartin