Mary Virginia Wendt

Mary Virginia Martin Wendt, age 83, long time resident of Torrance, passed away in Riverside, CA on Friday, October 29, 2010. A proud descendent of Texas pioneers, Mary grew up in the South as part of "the greatest generation". Throughout her life she lived in numerous states, as well as outside of the US in Guam and Spain. Although Mary finally settled in California, her heart always belonged to her beloved state of Texas. In California, Mary held various positions in the aerospace industry, working for more than 15 years in administrative and project analyst positions including top secret government projects. Mary loved music and dancing, and in her early years won several jitterbug dancing contests. She was very talented and creative, and loved woodworking, painting, ceramics, sewing, custom furniture construction. She won prizes for her paintings and crafts. A life long love of learning led her to pursue studies in interior design, computers and history. Mary was always a strong, "can do" woman. Mary raised three children: Vicki (France), Valerie (Bates), and William "Bill" (Wendt). She was proud grandmother of Melissa (Pouey), Vanessa (France), and Jasara (Bates); and great-grandmother of Roxanne (Pond), Quinn (Gurney), Nathaniel (Mendenhall), Caden (Mendenhall) and Lily (Goupil). Memorial services will be held in the Chapel at Olive Grove Retirement Resort, 7858 California Avenue, Riverside, at 10:00 am, Saturday, November 6. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.