Mary Moran Bedell

Mary Moran Bedell
August 12, 1918 ~ March 12, 2011

MONTEREY - Mary Bedell passed away quietly in the company of her loving family on March 12, 2011 at Westland Hospice. Mary, a fourth generation Californian, was born in Fruitvale, California, one of four daughters born to William Edmond Moran and Mabel O'Connell Moran. Mary told her children that she began her schooling at the age of three with her mother, a small schoolhouse teacher and author, and her three sisters.
Mrs. Bedell moved from Berkeley to Pacific Grove with her family in 1928 and attended Robert Down School. A lifelong dedicated Catholic, she was confirmed with the first class at St. Angela's Church in 1928. Mary graduated from Pacific Grove High School at the age of 16; she went on to attend San Jose State and later transferred to U.C. Berkeley. Mary was an elite competitive swimmer for the Fairmont Hotel, touted as a potential Olympian by the San Francisco Examiner in 1933.
After college, Mary began a hat business in Monterey. She was wedded to Ken Bedell on November 29, 1941. Eight days later the United States entered World War II. Mary resided in Monterey with her family during the war. Her first daughter, Camilla, was born in June 1943, while Ken served overseas. Mary and Ken settled in Pacific Grove in 1948 where they raised their family. In 1977, the couple moved to Twain Harte, returning to Carmel in 1988. Mary was a member of the Carmel Mission Basilica congregation.
Mrs. Bedell was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 69 years; her daughter, Camilla and sister, Cicily Chauvet. She is survived by her son, Andrew (Kim) Bedell; daughter, Patricia (Dirk) Begin; and son, Jack (Diana) Bedell; her sisters, Claire Davison and Camilla Austin; and her grandchildren: Anne, Casey, Amy, Cory, Beau, Cody, Kit, Ryan, Kristy, Cari and Matt. Mary was so proud of her 14 great-grandchildren, a brother and sister-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. An endeared mother and an elegant lady, Mary Elizabeth Moran Bedell will be greatly missed, but never forgotten by all who knew her. Her family's fondest memories are of her gliding away across the placid summer water of a high Sierra lake with graceful freestyle strokes.
After a Mass to be held at San Carlos Cathedral on April 29, 2011 at 9:30am, Mary will be interred at San Carlos Catholic Cemetery. The family has suggested that any donations be made in her memory to Westland Hospice of Monterey.