Mary Laing Pease

MARY LAING PEASE, (nee Mary Agnes Bruch), a Ventura resident since 1962, died January, 21, 2018, following a brief illness. Born September 3, 1934 in Davenport, Iowa to Marion Lyle and Loretta Elaine Bruch, she graduated high school from Immaculate Conception Academy in Davenport in 1952. She attended Iowa State Teacher’s College, Cedar Falls, Iowa (now the University of Northern Iowa) before moving to California in 1955.

Mary was a trailblazer among Ventura County women in the banking industry in the seventies and eighties, working her way up from a clerk to become one of the first female bank managers in the early 1970s, and then to vice president positions in personnel, consumer affairs, and industrial relations for Commercial and Farmers Bank, Chartered Bank of London, and Home Federal Savings. After retiring from banking, she had a second career in early childhood education.

Mary was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura and was grateful for the support of church members during her final illness. Mary most enjoyed spending time at home with her late husband, Bob Pease. Bob and Mary were devoted to each other, and loved to travel, read aloud, cook and joke around.

She is survived by her two daughters from her first marriage: Karen Laing of Ventura, and Barbara Laing of Austin, Texas; two grandchildren, Maryemma Warfield and Henry Sikes; sister, Elaine Lawler (Tom) of Waverly, Iowa and brother David Bruch (Pat) of Davenport, Iowa, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Bill Bruch, and husband Bob Pease.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, CA 93003. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com.