March 12, 1921 – Dec. 23, 2017

Mary (Violet) Ross Mesec of La Crescenta passed from this world on Dec. 23.

Born in Canada, she moved to Illinois with her parents as a child. She received her education there, culminating with graduation from Northwestern University, where she met her future husband, Murray Mesec. They married soon after World War II broke out, living in Baltimore, Maryland during Murray’s Coast Guard service. Later, they moved to Evanston, Illinois.

Mary and Murray moved their family of three children to California in 1952 where they were joined by Mary’s mother, Jean Ross. The family settled in La Crescenta where Mary enjoyed the warmth and spirit of the area for 65 years.

As a loving mother, Mary took great interest in her children’s activities and accomplishments. She also loved animals, particularly dogs. Throughout her life, she supported nonprofit organizations that help children and animals.

Mary worked for many years as a medical technologist at Glendale Memorial Hospital, where she took great pride in her profession.

Always physically fit, she had an enduring love of sports of all kinds including hiking, skiing and travel. Mary swam for many years at the Glendale YWCA where she participated in skilled water ballet shows.

She loved her rose garden, visiting the outdoors, and making countless trips to the beach – particularly the Festival of the Arts: Pageant of the Masters at Laguna Beach.

After retiring, Mary faithfully participated in exercise classes, attended luncheons with her ladies’ group and enjoyed the friendships that grew from these activities.

Mary is survived by her three children: daughter Dale Bonza (Charles) of Estes Park, Colorado, and sons Richard Ross Mesec of Boulder, Colorado, and Robert Randall Mesec of La Crescenta. On her daughter’s side, Mary leaves three granddaughters: Wendy Bonza of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada; Tamara Forsythe of Loveland, Colorado; and Nicole Henry of San Diego. She has three great-grandsons. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Jean Ross, and her husband Murray, who taught at Glendale College until his death in 1991.

Funeral directors www.CrippenMortuary.com