Mary Kaefer

Mary Elizabeth Kaefer

A resident of San Mateo, Ca. for 64 years, Mary Elizabeth Kaefer, a beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, peacefully passed away on May 14, 2013 in San Carlos, Ca. at age 93. Born Nov. 7, 1919, in Pasadena, Ca. to John and Gladys Guerrant. She grew up in Pasadena, Altadena and Hermosa Beach, Ca., where she attended Redondo High School and graduated from Westlake School for Girls in Westwood, Ca. In 1930 she won a first place trophy riding her Shetland pony in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. Having first met her future husband at a dance, Mary and Jack C. Kaefer were later married in Pasadena on Nov. 12, 1940. They resided in Hermosa Beach and Carmel, Ca. in their early married life, before moving to San Mateo in 1949.

Mary loved being a homemaker, her family, entertaining, knitting, volunteering, and her numerous friends from several organizations. In the 1940's she was a member of the Junior Womens Club of Hermosa Beach. In San Mateo, Mary actively volunteered first as a Cub Scout Den Mother for her three sons and later volunteered on various committees of Baywood Elementary, Borel Middle School and Aragon High School PTAs, including Halloween carnivals, teas and graduation parties. Since 1976, she was a member of the Assistance League of San Mateo County, participating for 30 years in School Bell, Hospitality, Friendly Visiting and Turnstyle Shop. Her hobby of knitting and donating blankets benefitted hundreds of local hospital patients over the years. Mary and her husband, Jack, also were fortunate to have traveled wordwide and enjoyed numerous cruises together, during their 59 years of marriage.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Jack, her parents and two brothers, John Guerrant and Frank Guerrant. Mary adored her family and she is survived by her three sons, Gary Kaefer (Virginia), Randall Kaefer (Jacqueline), and Donald Kaefer (Lauretta). She leaves behind five wonderful grandchildren she loved, Kathi Kaefer, David Kaefer (Dana), Christi Clayton (Richard), Kelly Kaefer and Jason Kaefer, as well as two great grandchildren, Jack Kaefer and Sara Kaefer.

A private family service will be held at Skylawn Memorial Park, San Mateo, Ca. Donations may be sent to Assistance League of San Mateo County, 528 N. San Mateo Drive, San Mateo, Ca. 94401-2326 or to the charity of your choice.