Mary Patricia Liss Pitt passed away at the age of 77. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisc. in May of 1933 to Irene Theresa Jadzewski and Walter W. Liss. After attending Holy Angels Academy through high school, she earned her bachelor of science degree at Milwaukee Donner College, now Lawrence University, in Appleton, Wisc.

From 1954 – 1957, she served as a First Lieutenant in the Army Corps as a medical specialist and received her diploma and certification in Occupational Therapy. She became the chief occupational therapist at the Cerebral Palsy School and Clinic in Atlanta, GA and later, a consultant to various rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities in Southern and Northern California. While in Atlanta, Mary met and married the love of her life, Howard Fred Pitt in 1958.

In 1969, Howard, Mary and their two daughters moved to Mariposa and purchased their small family ranch. From 1969 until 2005, Mary worked for the Mariposa County Unified School District for 30 years, first as a substitute and consulting occupation therapist to the school district, then as an aide in special education and then as a teacher at Mariposa County High School. She was also involved as a commissioner to the Mariposa County Parks and Recreation Commission, taught free art classes in the park to all the kids and was a long-time board member on the Mariposa Museum and History Center. Mariposa was always where Mary proudly called “home” and although she spent a short period of time in Turlock with her daughters and granddaughters, her heart was always at the ranch.

Mary passed away peacefully, with her daughters and son in law at her side, at Emanuel Medical Center on June 16, after a brief battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 40 years, Howard, in 1996 and her mother, Irene J. Johnson, also in 1996, and is survived by her daughter, Maryn Pitt; her two granddaughters, Kyra and Cassandra; and her daughter, JuLee; and son-in-law, Jim Hampton, all of Turlock.

A celebration of Mary Pitt’s life will be held on Saturday, July 10, at 4 p.m. at the Mariposa Museum and History Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mariposa Museum and History Center, P.O. Box 606, Mariposa CA 95338. Allen Mortuary was entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences can be shared at www.allenmortuary.com.