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Mary B. Jenkins

Mary B. Jenkins died peacefully on Oct. 19, 2012, at her home in Sonoma, surrounded by her loving family.

Mary was born Mary Elaine Bennett in Phoenix, Ariz., on Jan 27, 1931. At 15 months old, her family moved to Los Angeles. She moved again to Detroit, Mich., when she was 10 and then again to New York when her father was deployed to Africa during World War ll.

She attended Grier High School for girls and worked as a model in New York. She met her first husband, John Beatty, and was married October 1952. She moved to Seattle, Wash., and had her first daughter. As a homemaker married to a toy salesman, they then traveled to Marin County, first living in Mill Valley where she had two more daughters Tracy and Nancy, before settling in Tiburon where she married Thornton Jenkins and gained another daughter, Carrie.

Her interests and hobbies were tennis, gardening, painting, all kinds of card games, including bridge. She also had a passion for decorating, building and remodeling. She loved to travel and continued to do so for much of her life.

Mary donated to many charities. Some of her favorites were Pets Lifeline, Make a Wish Foundation, KQED, Children’s Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, Boys & Girls Club as well as the arts. On top of being a kind and generous soul, she had a hilarious sense of humor.

As an only child herself, she enjoyed the large extended family she gathered over the years. Her family and friends were her life.

She was pre-deceased by ex-husbands John Beatty and Thornton Jenkins whom she remained friends with over the years.

Mary is survived by her children, Susan Beatty-Hites, Tracy Todd, Nancy Noble, Carrie Jenkins-Lennon and husband Ronnie Lennon; four step-children; 10 grandchildren, John, Brian (wife Jessica) and Michael Todd, Brittany and Jacqueline Hites, Cayce Noble, Katie and Sean Franks, Wyatt and William Lennon; five great-grandchildren and primary caregiver, Summer Walton.

Mary’s joy and laughter will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

There will be a private inurnment at Valley Cemetery, Sonoma It was Mary’s desire to invite friends and family to an upbeat, colorful celebration of her life with a dixieland band at 1 p.m. Friday Oct. 26, at her home, 1150 Lovall Valley Road,

Donations in her memory may be made to: Hospice By The Bay, 190 W. Napa, St., Sonoma, CA 95476, Or the charity of your choice.

 

Duggan’s Mission Chapel.
Mission Cremation Service
525 West Napa Street
Sonoma, CA 95476
707-996-3655