Obituaries: Mary Agnes MacDonald Stuart (Feb. 4, 1931 – Aug. 10, 2011)

Mary Agnes MacDonald Stuart, “MA THE LAW,” 80 years young, passed away peacefully in the town she loved, since the day she rode the wave in 1964, on August 10, 2011. Ma put up a heck of a good fight to keep drinking her green tea and eating her strawberry waffles.

Mary was born in Dedham, Mass., on Feb. 4, 1931, to Ralph and Mary J. MacDonald. Mary Agnes is the oldest of four siblings: brother Jack, deceased, and his loving wife Gina from Dedham. Along with many, many nieces and nephews from the East Coast. Younger brother, Ralph “Buddy” Jr., deceased at the young age of 9, while Mary was in high school. Sister Carol and Marvin Peschel and and six beautiful nieces.

Mary was raised Catholic in Dedham, graduating from Dedham High School in 1948 and attending Saint Mary’s Catholic Church faithfully.

Mary met and fell in love with her soul mate, William Leroy Stuart (Bill) in Colorado Springs, Colo., in the summer of 1949, on a blind date. Mary and Bill became Mr. and Mrs. William L. Stuart on June 17, 1951, in St. Mary Cathedral in Colorado Springs, Colo., where soon after their first son Douglas Carl blessed them with a family on Dec. 1, 1953. In January of 1958, their second son Donald Joseph was born; “Donny Joe” was born with a heart defect and died peacefully in his sleep at 6 months old.

Mary and Bill established the “Post Office” in Bedrock, Colo., where Mary was Post Master, mother, and if that’s not enough, she cooked at Grandma Bells Cafe every night, serving the travelers and miners in the area.

In 1959, Mary and Bill were blessed with the birth of their first daughter, Darlene Anne, was born in Moab, Utah, on March 19, 1959. During this time Mary also was head cook in the uranium mine camps where Bill and his brother Toms Eades worked. In 1961, Diane Marie joined the family as darling daughter #2 was born in Moab, Utah, on April 30, 1961. Debra Sue was the final addition to the family, making it complete in Eureka, Calif., on Sept. 18, 1963.

Mary has too many accomplishments to list in her work, the organizations she belonged to and the volunteer work she did, but everyone who ever worked or volunteered with her will never forget, because her smile and her dedication were so beautiful.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Mary J MacDonald, brother, Ralph Jr., son Donald Joseph Stuart, husband William Leroy Stuart, grandson Jonathon William Harper and brother Jack MacDonald.

Mary is survived by sister, Carol and Marvin Peschel and family, sons Doug and Jude Stuart, daughter Darlene and Dean Hudlow, daughter Diane and Joe Skinner, and daughter Debra and Edward Bauman. Grandchildren: Jason Lee Jamieson, Nicki and Kacy, Jason Dean Eagles, Jeremy and Jessica Frances Harper, Private Jessica Mae Harper, James Edward Thomas and Carol Stuart, and great-grandsons: Caden James, Cole Patrick and Casy.

Mary was also known by the SOB Bill Stamps from KPOD Radio as “The Call Girl” because Bill counted faithfully on Mary every morning for many years, while she owned Crescent Answering Service and later for the road report from Cal Trans.

Just a few of Mary accolades include, but not limited to: ABWA Charter Member of the Del Norte Chapter and has served as treasurer, corresponding secretary, recording secretary, vice president and president of the association. From 1964 to 1973 she owned and operated Crescent Answering Service. Mary lived for Wednesdays once a month, when she got to meet and play Bunco with all of her Bunco family. Mary faithfully supported St. Joseph’s Parish for 50 years and her heart and soul belong to St. Joseph School.

The family would like to recognize just a few of the special angels that our mother has been blessed with in her life: Deanna Lee Claassen and Sister Linda Sue, Louise Slater, Penny Walker and grandson Quinn. Each and everyone of her Emblem sisters over 29 years. And last but not least her church family at St. Joseph Parish.

Family has requested that in lieu of flowers contributions can be made in Mary’s honor, to St. Joseph Parish or Sutter Coast Auxillary.

Special thanks go to the Crescent Convalescent and Rehab,  Sutter Coast Hospital and “angelic” nursing staff and doctors. Thank you!!!

Visitation will be held at Wier’s Mortuary Chapel on Friday, August 12, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with the Rosary starting at 7 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial services will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Saturday, August 13, at 10 a.m. with interment at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Fellowship will follow at the Parish Hall.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wier’s Mortuary Chapel of Crescent City.

— Submitted by Wier’s Mortuary Chapel