Lester, Mary Ruth (Hayes)

Lester, Mary Ruth (Haynes)

Went into the arms of our Lord Jesus

Christ September 29, 2008. Mary was

born in Wilson, Oklahoma on October

23, 1920. She graduated from Oklahoma

College for Women and Southern State

Teachers College. Mary was employed

at Cal Tech during WW II. After the

War she worked for the Pasadena Police

Department and was a member of the

Pasadena First Methodist Church where

she met her husband David William

Lester, in 1950. They were married in

1951 and honeymooned in Yosemite and enjoyed skiing at Badger

Pass. Following the births of their children, they continued annual

camping vacations. Their first born son, David Douglas, died at the

age of four. Their three other children, Jan, Diane and Charles, grew

up in Glendora, educated in the Newport-Mesa School District,

Orange Coast College, Cal Poly Pomona and UCLA. After her

husband’s career move to Newport Beach in 1969, Mary worked in

the counseling office at Costa Mesa High School. In addition to the

family condo on Maui, she enjoyed travel to Europe, Canada, Alaska

and Mexico.

Mary is survived by her husband, David and children Jan,

Diane (Bjelland) and son-in-law Tim Bjelland, Chuck and daughterin-

law Debbie Lester and her five grandchildren: Christine, Tracy

and Kimberly Bjellland and Amanda and Tyson Lester. Mary was

a member of the First United Methodist Church of Costa Mesa,

United Methodist Women and Costa Mesa Women’s Club. The

memorial service will be at the First United Methodist Church

at 420 West 19th Street in Costa Mesa on Saturday October 11.

Donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse.