LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Mary Renfro passed away on June 6, 2015, in San Francisco from complications of a stroke on May 6, 2015.
She was born Mary Anne Dimauro and was the first baby born in Lake County in 1940.
Born Jan. 1 to Joe and Lily Dimauro of Lakeport, Mary was the youngest with older siblings Joe, Betty and Frank spoiling her rotten.
Mary always said she started dating her future husband and the love of her life, Tom, when they were in eighth grade (Tom says he fell in love with her when they rode the school bus together in first grade).
While attending Clear Lake High School Mary was active in numerous organizations including the Clear Lake Cardinals Cheer leading squad where she cheered for Tom during football, basketball and baseball games.
Tom and Mary graduated together in 1957 and married a year later June 7, 1958.
Mary worked as a legal secretary through the years as their family grew. Their first three children were girls – Tammy, Jamie and Toni. Then in 1968, a son, Thomas was born and Mary began work from home.
Raising four children during the 1960s to 1980s was challenging but Mary made it look easy.
She was always the room mother; enjoyed decorating and celebrating every holiday with her family; made sure all of her children were involved in 4-H; went on countless trips to horse shows and gymkhanas; organized family camping trips; hunted along side Tom; and took care of many family pets.
Her home was always a gathering place where everyone felt welcome.
For many years Tom and Mary operated the very popular “Renfro’s Pioneer Pear Stand” selling pears, apples and peaches grown on their ranch.
Mary always had a love for dogs. ALL dogs. For over 35 years and until the time of her stroke, she and Tom owned and operated Renfro’s Animal Inn in Kelseyville. Mary’s customers, two- and four-legged, were very dear to her.
Mary’s truest love was her family. She enjoyed rides to the cabin with Tom or just sitting together on the deck in the evening, watching their doves and bluebirds, while sipping on a margarita.
She rarely missed a basketball, football, softball, baseball, t-ball or soccer game played by her grandchildren during the last 30 years.
Mary enjoyed going to the casino, playing cards with the same group of women for the last 40 years, going to lunch with the “Class of ’57 girls,” reading true crime books especially by author Anne Rule, the San Francisco Giants, and watching Phil Mickelson play golf.
Mary was the happiest when she was home with Tom and her dogs surrounded by happy children and grandchildren.
Her brother, Joe Dimauro, and her parents Joe and Lily Dimauro predeceased Mary.
Mary leaves behind a large and loving family including her husband of 57 years, Tom and their four-legged kids Shilo, Ally and Shadow; children and their families, Tammy (Wayne) and Joe Myers; Jamie Patten, Kyle (Stacy) and Kirk Sills, Kelsey (Shaun) and Kaylee Robinson; Toni (Mike), Mikey (Emily), Allyson and Mary Brown; Thomas (Nancy), Madison and Meghan Renfro; sister Betty Penland and children Donnie, Laurie, Joe and Robert; brother Frank Dimauro and children Margaret, Barbara and Jim; brother and sister-in-law Jim and Pat Renfro and their children Mariann and Michael; ex-son-in-law Marty Sills; cousins Tiny Nunnemaker, Vivian McFall, Violet Etters and Bill Medina.
Mary will also be missed by dear friends Barbara Schnabl, Ann Davis, Bill and Sue Dawson, Kathy Sabine, Joyce Busch, Kent Rickabaugh, Virginia Sills, Bill and Sue Dawson, and Bob and Nancy McNeill; her cards friends Marilyn, Connie, Nancy, Judy, Sharon, Joan, Linda and Lois; Class of ’57 girls Pat, Sandy, Joan, Donna, Kathy, Marilyn, Virginia, Marsha, Katie, Georgiana, Jeannie and Linda; and too many dogs and dog customers to mention.
A gathering for Mary’s family and close friends, “with plenty of food, drinks and good stories,” is planned for July 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Tom and Mary’s home.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations, in Mary’s name, to Lake County Animal Care and Control, 4949 Helbush Drive, Lakeport, CA 95453.
