Mary Jordan

1955 - 2009

Mary Jordan was born March 26, 1955 in Visalia, Tulare County, California to Ralph B. Jordan, Jr., and K. Patricia (Jones) Jordan. She was the fourth of five children, a welcomed and delightful addition, with hair of red and eyes of blue. Mary endured developmental disabilities and epilepsy throughout her life. She started school at Royal Oaks Elementary in Visalia where she attended regular school classes. Her family moved to Bakersfield in 1963. There she attended special education programs at Baker Elementary and (then) Fruitvale School. As an adult, she became involved with the Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens (BARC). She worked and participated in various BARC-sponsored programs. Mary lived with her family in Bakersfield for 29 years. Her father passed away in 1989. When her mother passed away in 1991, Mary moved to Herndon, Virginia where she resided with her sister, Claudia Gibb, and her family. Mary's life was blessed by parents who cared for her throughout their lives, and Claudia and Mark Gibb expanded their family circle to include Mary for the remaining 18 years of her life. In Virginia Mary attended Villa Maria Center, sponsored by the Presbyterian Church in Falls Church, and since then she has worked for Central Fairfax Services, a nonprofit organization in Springfield, Virginia. In July of 2007, Mary moved into a group residence sponsored by the Hartwood Foundation. Mary passed away in her sleep February 26, 2009 at her home. Mary did not obtain a college degree, hold public office, or leave a large estate. Her mark and her legacy are more profound and far-reaching. Her limitations brought out the best in people. She made us more thoughtful, more kind, more unselfish, and more generous. She kept us in touch with the important things in life. She was a teacher of the highest virtues. She made us live from our hearts. Mary had special needs, and throughout her life she was blessed by people who met them. Physicians, social workers, teachers, supervisors, assistants, drivers, companions, and friends gave her special attention. What they provided went beyond service. So many gave her their hearts. Mary felt it. She had special needs, but because of the kind people she worked with and lived with, she felt special. She loved seeing them, being with them, and being loved by them. Mary was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a big part of her life. She loved the gospel, the scriptures, and the attention of her church family. She was blessed to have a child-like faith. She knew that she has a Father in Heaven and that Jesus is His son and the Savior, and she knew that she would be seeing her parents and loved ones again. Mary is survived by her siblings, Kathleen (and Havert) Sealy, Bakersfield, California; Claudia (and Mark) Gibb, Herndon, Virginia; Ralph (and Claudia) Jordan, Visalia, California; and Paul (and Shelly) Jordan, Oak Park, California. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Services will be held in Bakersfield, Saturday, March 7, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Mortuary, 3700 River Blvd. Viewing from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. A tribute gift may be made to Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens (BARC). Contact Linda Hartman, Executive Director, BARC Foundation at 661.834.2272. Mary Jordan 1955 - 2009