Mary Jeanne Willits Harward 1929-2018

WILLITS, HARWARD

Posted By: NANCY RAMSEY (email)
Date: 3/22/2018 at 09:32:40

Mary Jeanne (Willits) Harward passed on March 19th at the age of 88. She was born November 25, 1929 in the family farm house near Bonaparte, IA. Her primary education years were spent in a one-room school house and she attended high school in Bonaparte, IA; graduating in 1947 as valedictorian. Following high school she attended the American Institute of Commerce in Davenport, Iowa before enlisting in the U.S. Army serving in Fort Bragg prior to being honorably discharged in 1951.

Mary Jeanne married Roscoe (Ross) Harward August 21, 1954 and they lived in several small cities in IA before settling in Henderson NV, where Mary obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her career spanned over twenty (20) years teaching first grade students at CT Sewell Elementary School in Henderson NV.

After retiring from Clark County School District in 1990, Mary and Ross moved to Santa Maria to enjoy coastal retirement living. Mary’s activities included traveling, bridge, and making new friends. Gardening was her passion and with the mild climate she was able to grow just about anything. Mary also enjoyed volunteering as a reading specialist at the Juan Pacifico Ontiveros School for several years.

Mary and Ross loved living in Buena Vista Rancho Estates where she served as president of the owner association for two years and regularly volunteered. Every morning Mary could be spotted jogging in the neighborhood at a brisk pace, waving and smiling at everyone she passed.

Mary Jeanne is survived by her daughter, Marilyn (Phil) Davis, son Keith (Beverly) Harward, and daughter, Nancy (Jim) Ramsey. She has eight (8) grandchildren: Deidre (Spencer) Williams, Tara (Matt) McBrearty, Erica (Vi) Tripp, Kameron (John) Wittmer, Kristen (Shaun) York, Brandon Harward, Evan Harward, and Taylor Harward. She has five great grandchildren: Indy and Magnolia McBrearty, Tyndal and Baxter Williams, and Aiden Tripp.

Mary Jeanne is preceded in death by her husband, Roscoe, parents Karl Robert Willits and Mary Ethel (Ward) Willits, and brother Wayne Willits. She is survived by her sister, Cleda (Willits) Thomas.

Mary had a major impact on the lives of many of the children she taught and is remembered for her love of family and friends, and her energy and passion for life.

Should friends desire, contributions in Mary’s name can be made to the Central Coast Literacy Program. http://www.centralcoastliteracycouncil.org/copy-of-learn