Mary Catherine Stevens

1929 - 2021

Mary Catherine Stevens
September 13, 1929 - September 24, 2021
La Jolla, CA
Mary Catherine Stevens, RN, was born Sept. 13, 1929, the third child of Lloyd Ernst Zuehlke and Catherine Marie Zimmerman of Faribault, MN. Her family were builders who constructed most of Faribault's municipal buildings.

Mary graduated from Bethlehem Academy and Faribault High School. She attended St. Benedict's College for one year, followed by St. Mary's School of Nursing in Rochester, MN, from which she graduated in 1951. While on vacation from St. Mary's, she went to see her uncle, Ralph Deneau, who was the Chairman of the Meat Planning Board. Mary claimed to be present, and to have personally participated in, the naming of the world's favorite processed meat staple commonly known as SPAM (Special Products for the Active Military). Mary worked as a scrub-nurse for Dr. Charles Mayo Jr., who suggested she "get out of Minnesota and see the world." With one phone call from the good doctor, within two days Mary was sworn into the Navy Nursing Corps. She served at the U.S. naval hospitals at St. Albans, NY; Chelsea, MA; Guam; Yokohama, Japan; and Pensacola, FL. The young Lt. J.G. loved nursing. She was beautiful - resembling Liz Taylor - and knew it. Foot loose and fancy free, Mary always said she had the most wonderful time in the Navy. At the end of her tour in Chelsea, Mary met a charming medical student, Jack Stevens. Shortly thereafter, she was transferred to Guam, and thus began a two-year correspondence while the young swain finished his medical degree and internship at USNH Bethesda, MD. When Mary returned from Japan, and Jack was on his way to the USN School of Aviation Medicine, they were married. Various assignments took them to NAS Moffett Field, USNH Oakland, Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, and USNH San Diego. The couple returned to La Jolla and Scripps Clinic in 1966 and lucked into renting, and eventually purchasing, a 1950s era Mediterranean-style "mansion" high up on Kearsarge Road, with a view that is still to die for. Mary loved that house more than anything and put her heart and soul into her dream home for more than 55 yrs. Mary was a member of the La Jolla Country Club, and especially loved playing with the "Happy Hackers." Her all-time favorite, however, was "her club," the La Jolla Beach and Tennis. She was the "perfect doctor's wife" and held many positions in local doctors' wives associations. She was co-chair of the Candlelight Ball and gave service to Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church. She was predeceased by her parents, brothers Lloyd Thomas and James Oscar, and a younger sister, Margaret E. Robson. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, her sons John J. Stevens IV and Erich A. Stevens, and daughters Kathleen Marie and Margaret Elizabeth. A veteran of the Korean War, Mary will have full services performed at NMC Miramar at a time to be determined. A terrific wife and devoted mother, she will be sorely missed by all who knew her. May she have fair winds and a following sea.



Please sign the guest book online at legacy.com/obituaries/ lajollalight