LUCERNE, Calif. – Mary Laurene Broaddus, 85, of Lucerne died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014.
Mary Laurene was born May 30, 1929, in Bend, Ore., to John and Myrtle Caldwell.
She grew up in Fresno, Calif., and graduated from Fresno High School in 1947, and then received a bachelor of science degree in home economics on June 3, 1951, at Pepperdine College in Los Angeles, Calif.
She married David T. Broaddus that same day, and together lived many locations around the world, settling in Lucerne in 2002.
Mary taught home economics for Fresno city schools for 25 years, helping in Head Start programs and private sewing lessons to post high school students. She returned to California State University at Fresno in 1976 to receive her master's in science.
Taking an early retirement in 1990, she and her husband traveled three summers to Albania and five years to China, teaching English.
Mary enjoyed her family activities with children and grandchildren, reading, sewing, cooking & baking, and nature in hiking and camping. She collected stamps all her life from all over the world.
After moving to Lake County, Mary was an active member of Kelseyville Church of Christ, Sutter Hospital Auxiliary and Lake County Hospice.
Mary is survived by her husband of 63 years, David Broaddus of Lucerne; four children, Margaret Retherford of Nice, Calif., Jeff Broaddus of Soulsbyville, Calif., John Broaddus of San Diego, Calif., Jeremy Broaddus of Salinas, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at United Christian Parish, 745 N. Brush St., Lakeport, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to American Cancer Society.