Mary Schuler Henderson

Mary Schuler Henderson Passed away peacefully at home on August 11, 2012. She was born in Stockton, California on November 6, 1930 to her late parents, George and Betty Schuler, and was the youngest of three children. A fourth genera-tion Stocktonian, Mary gradu-ated from Stockton High School, attended Stephens College as a freshman, and graduated from University of California at Berke-ley (Pi Beta Phi sorority). She re-ceived her Elementary Teaching Credential while attending Col-lege of the Pacific (UOP).
Mary married Donald B. Hutchin-son of Walnut Grove, California on June 21, 1953. They had three children: Donald Jr., Lind-say, and Sarah. She was a farmer's wife and immersed her-self in the raising of her children. She was also a volunteer in the Walnut Grove PTA. After Mary's husband died in 1971, Mary ac-tivated her teaching credential and spent several months as a substitute teacher in Rio Vista before becoming a 2nd-grade teacher in the Jean Harvie School in Walnut Grove. During this time, Mary served as presi-dent of Walnut Grove's PTA. In 1973, she married Robert E. Henderson (Bob) of Hillsbor-ough, California. She took up tennis, became active in the Hillsborough Garden Club where she later served as Treasurer and Vice-President, and enthusi-astically supported the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. She and Bob shared many common hobbies including play-ing bridge and going on exten-sive driving trips. They explored just about all the back roads in California, and made huge dents in other states including Texas, Colorado, and Montana. Mary loved to cut up the dance floor with Bob and secretly wanted to be a dancer.
After Mary's mother died in 1994, Bob and Mary purchased a con-dominium in Stockton as a vaca-tion place so they could be with their "valley friends." They have since resided in both Hillsbor-ough and Stockton. In Stockton, Mary became active in the Oak Park Tennis Association. This past year, at the age of 81, Mary played in the #1 doubles spot and was serving in her first term as president before resigning three months ago. According to one of her teammates, "Mary was a remarkable leader who commanded the respect and friendship of everyone around her, just by her graceful pres-ence, openness and friendli-ness."
In Stockton, Mary volunteered weekly at the American Cancer Society's Discovery Shop where she ran the cash register, as-sisted customers, and turned leftover flowers from Trader Joe's into inviting flower ar-rangements for the shop. She had an eye for flower arranging and was often asked to do the flowers for parties hosted by friends and family.
Joy and laughter were very much a part of her life, and her genu-ine interest in others plus her bright, dimply smile, earned her many lifelong friends along the way. Family gatherings, spend-ing time with her many friends, and putting on sensational pic-nics were all in her zone of fun. She participated with joy in the lives of her children and grand-children and was their greatest encourager. She had faith in God and trusted His promises. Her faith gave her such comfort as she faced graduating to her for-ever home in heaven.
Mary is survived by her loving husband, Bob Henderson; her children, Donald Hutchinson (Margaret), Lindsay Hutchinson (Ann), and Sarah Clifford (Ken); her grandchildren, Matthew Hut-chinson, Donald Hutchinson III, James Clifford, Mary Clifford, and Paul Clifford; her brother, Presley Schuler; her step-children, Charles Henderson (Kela), and Alan Henderson (Sara Smith); her step grand-children, Morgan Molesworth, and CC Henderson; step-grandchild, Kooper Molesworth; and step-daughter-in-law Valerie Henderson. She is also survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 21st at 11am at her church, the Bridge of Stockton. Any memorial contri-butions can be sent to the Bridge of Stockton, 703 E. Swain Road, Stockton, CA 95207, or to Hos-pice of San Joaquin, 3888 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95204.