Mary "Midge" Warren

Mary passed away in Santa Rosa in the early morning of November 13, 2010 with her loving daughter, Bonnie Hogue and dear friend Dawn Present by her side. "Midge" as she was often known, was born March 3, 1926 in Nampa, Idaho to Thomas and Gladys Gibson. She had one sister and two brothers. The family moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon where they lived in a tent while her father built a house in "the Stewart's addition." The Great Depression and World War II brought difficult times, but Mary had many fond memories of growing up with her close-knit family and friends in Klamath Falls. Midge met her future husband, Bernie Hogue at a USO dance at the Armory. Their son, Patrick was born in Klamath Falls. They moved to Santa Rosa in 1953, where daughter Bonnie was born. Mary and Bernie divorced, but Mary stayed in Santa Rosa where she worked at Eisenhood's Deli for many years and was a waitress at various restaurants. Mary was well-liked because she was so friendly and sweet to everyone! In 1975 Mary moved to Chicago to work at the Baha'i National Center, where she made many friends and enjoyed the many attractions of the big city. In 1982 she moved to Belfair, Wa. to care for her elderly mother. They moved back to Santa Rosa in 1984. Mary became a manicurist, working at various shops in town before accepting a job at a fabric store, from which she retired in 2002. Mary enjoyed many avocations: she was an outstanding seamstress; she loved learning about Native American history; she painted ceramics; and in her younger days Mary loved to dance. Through the years whenever a familiar tune played, Mary would look wistful and say, "I bet I danced a hundred miles to that song." Mary had a deep love of animals and Nature, and taught her children to respect life in all its forms. A drive to the coast brought her great joy. In the summertime she would look out the window at the gentle mounds of Sonoma county and say, "I love those old, brown hills." Mary was a kind and gentle person who generously gave away many of the children's' clothes she sewed, donated to animal welfare groups, and helped support a child in Central America. But Mary's greatest gift to us was her unwavering, unconditional love and support. She warmly accepted and truly loved people. She was a deep, spiritual seeker with an open heart and mind, and an abiding faith in God. She will be forever missed by those fortunate enough to have known her. Mary is survived by sister Eva DuPont; son Patrick Hogue (Renee) of Eldersburg, Md.; daughter Bonnie Hogue; and many family and friends around the country who remember Mary with love. She is missed by her beloved cats, Lucky and Princess. Mary would want to thank her long-time internist, Dr. Bisbee, and Dr. Matalon. Her family extends heart-felt gratitude to the compassionate care-givers and staff at Parkview Gardens. Memorial contributions are suggested to Forgotten Felines, P.O. Box 6672, Santa Rosa, 95406 or your favorite charity. "We love you, Mom. Thank you."