Born in Los Angeles CA, she was the 3rd daughter of Hobart Glassell Brown and Adele Creevey Brown. Hobart and Adele divorced shortly after Mary’s birth. Hobart remarried and remained in Los Angeles, near his family and business. Adele remarried and moved to the Santa Ynez Valley. The children’s lives were spent living in both areas. Mary loved time spent with Hobart and family in Bunker Hill. Mary clearly retold the stories of holding her Grandmothers’ hand while riding on Angels Flight to shop and visit her father downtown. Life is always about the stories.
In 1950 she married Robert E Chilson in Santa Ynez Valley on her parents’ ranch before starting a family in Lompoc, CA. The Chilson family moved to Hawaii in 1970, loving the life on the Big Island and Oahu. Upon Bob’s retirement, they made one more move to Paso Robles, CA.
In her work life, Mary worked in nursing, banking and office management as well happily pouring wine tastings well into her 80’s at Grey Wolf Winery.
Mary was a member of Newcomers in Paso Robles and belonged to many other groups including quilting, book groups and bridge. She had a great circle of close friends in the Paso area and fully enjoyed taking in summertime music in the parks, farmers markets and a simply being as close to the ocean as possible.
She is preceded in death by husband Robert E. Chilson, sisters Kathryn Brown Rorick, Suzanne Brown Russell, Valerie Stirling and brother, Dr. Norman Stirling and son-in-law Larry Baker.
Mary is survived by her 3 daughters, Anne Murphy Baker (Larry) in Eugene, OR, Denise Senter (Bill) in Simi Valley, CA and Michelle Chilson Fahrney (Dave)in San Ramon, CA; 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
In following Mary’s wishes, her ashes were scattered at sea to always be with her husband and near her love of the ocean. May it always bring her peace and comfort.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the Adventist Health Hospital Simi Valley as well as Adventist Health Hospice.
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