Mary Katherine Shell

1927 - 2018

MARY KATHERINE SHELL
1927 - 2018

Mary Katherine Shell (born February 9, 1927, died June 14, 2018) passed away peacefully at her home in Bakersfield at the age of 91. Funeral services will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church on June 21st. Rosary at 10:00, Mass at 10:30 a.m., reception at St. Francis Parish Hall, interment to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Mary K. ("Miki") was a vital member of the community. Mary K. served as the first female mayor of the City of Bakersfield 1981-1985, as the District 5 member of the KC Board of Supervisors 1985 - 1999. Upon her retirement from public office, the Bakersfield Californian termed her "the most popular politician in Kern County history." Although she did not think of herself as a politician, she called herself a "public servant." Her door was always open to her constituents and anyone else who wished to speak with her. The only time people saw that wonderful, open, and bright smile of hers replaced by a frown and a flash of anger was when she found out that the person speaking with her had been ignored or treated unfairly. Then, she got to work to right the wrong. In her dealings with everyone, she was always gracious and fair, and proud to be of service to the people of Bakersfield and Kern County. Before elected mayor, she was a journalist/correspondent for the Bakersfield Californian, covering state politics in Sacramento 1970-1980 and would type her articles, then ship them to Bakersfield by Greyhound bus. During her youth, she took flying lessons and became a pilot, flying fearlessly "off the Bluffs" at the La Cresta Airfield near Panorama Drive in Bakersfield. Mary K. was married first to Don Strickler, then Richard Hosking and third, Joseph Shell (1970 until his passing in 2008). She had three children: Geoffrey, Timothy, and Meredith. Mary K. was born to Walter Jaynes and Mary Ellen (Young) Jaynes in 1927. She had one sister, Beverly Ellen (Jaynes) Kovacevich, who pre-deceased her in 1991. On the Shell side of the family, she is survived by Joseph Shell's children. On Mary K.'s side of the family, she is survived by members of the Kovacevich family: John Jr, Michael, Jaynellen and Maryanne. Her son, Geoffrey Hosking. Pallbearers: John Kovacevich, Jr., Paul Morton, Harry Stone, Harold Shell, Michael Purdy and Rick Radon. Honorary pallbearers: the Honorable Steven Stone, Robert W. Stone, Ryan Shell, Michael and Nicholas Kovacevich, Garrett Bek, John Kovacevich, III, Greg Kovacevich, Adam Kovacevich, Scott Gamba, Matthew, Mark, Justin, Thomas Stone.

Mary K. had many close friends too many to name here. Her close friends L J Radon and from her Bridge group, Bakersfield Racquet Club tennis league and her friends from the dog park where she took her dogs to exercise on regular basis. To paraphrase Will Rogers, Mary K. Shell never met a person she didn't like. Her heart was always open, and one of her most endearing qualities was that she was a good listener. She belonged to each of us, and now, she belongs to the ages.