Mary Margaret Bachelder

[caption id="attachment_3422" align="aligncenter" width="245"] Mary Margaret Bachelder[/caption]

Mary Margaret Bachelder, 86, of Sonoma, died Sunday morning, Oct. 20, 2013.

Mary Margaret was born Jan. 11, 1927, to Joseph and Mary Agnes (Firebaugh) Vetter in Dinuba, and grew up there on the family ranch. She earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and taught home economics at Visalia High School prior to her marriage in 1950 to Wallace Bachelder. They bought a home and settled their young family in Sonoma in 1954. Mary Margaret was a lifelong homemaker and an avid gardener. She taught for several years at the VOM Nursery School. Her volunteer activities included the kindergarten of Prestwood Elementary, Campfire Girls, The Church Mouse, and FISH. She served in the St. Francis Solano Mothers Club and was later an active member of St. Leo’s Parish. Mary Margaret was a woman of abiding faith who will be remembered particularly for her selfless devotion to family and her love of children.

Mary Margaret was preceded in death by Wallace Bachelder, her beloved husband of 53-1/2 years and by Steve Louie, her loving son-in-law. She is survived by her children and their spouses, David and Michelle Bachelder, Mary Ellen and David Serafini, John Daniel and Dyani Bachelder, Thomas and Irene Bachelder, Anita Louie, Raymond and Jae Bachelder, Angela and Brian James Lobsinger, and Monica and Peter Gruber. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Gloria Vetter; brother-in-law Robert Ryan; and dear friend Erma Milkie. She leaves 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Friends are invited to attend a memorial Mass, preceded by recitation of the rosary, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at St. Leo’s Catholic Church on Saturday, Nov. 16. A reception will follow. Private inurnment at St. Francis Cemetery.

Memorial donations in Mary Margaret’s memory may be made to FISH or the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Arrangements handled under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel and Mission Cremation Service. www.duggansmissionchapel.com.