Mary Frances Hendon

MARY FRANCES HENDON 1923-2014 Mary Frances Muff Hendon passed away at her Redlands home on January 18, 2014, surrounded by her children and loving caregiver. She had been gravely ill since July, after a long and healthy life. She was 90. Muff, as she was known to friends and family, was born in Westmorland and raised there by her rancher/banker father, Glenn Walker, and her mother, Florence. She attended Brawley High School before going to college at the University of Redlands. She met her husband Larry there, after he returned on the G.I. Bill, having served in World War 11 as a Navy Lt. Commander. Their attraction and love were almost instantaneous and they married in 1946 after her graduation. Their happy marriage ended upon his death in 2006. They were married 60 years. Muff taught school for two years before starting her family. Her four children, Cathy, Jim, Barbie and Genny survive her. She was a dedicated wife and mother who made her family her first priority. She returned to teaching in 1965 and taught in the Redlands School District for 25 years. Muff inspired students, families, and colleagues alike with her kind and creative approach to teaching. Upon her retirement, she dedicated herself to family, travel, and many civic and volunteer commitments. Muff was a life long member of PEO, Chapter ii, serving as President for two terms. She was a founding Board Member and volunteer at Mustard Seed Tutorial Center. She was past president of the YWCA Board, and a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Redlands, where she taught Sunday School. Tireless volunteer for Meals on Wheels, she was also a dedicated fund raiser for many needy causes in Redlands. As a University of Redlands alumna, she was a member of Delta Kappa Psi, and an honored member of Town and Gown. The university honored her for her years of dedication and giving to the school as well. For Muff, a complete life involved giving to others. In her ninety years, she never stopped doing that in countless ways. Active until six months before her death, she belonged to two Bridge clubs, a book club, was a popular member of her Palmlane community, and attended the symphony,Redlands Bowl programs, and local theater. Perhaps her greatest contribution was her loving attention to her friends and family. Her presence in their lives was a special one, and many people cannot imagine life without her. In addition to her children, Muff is survived by two sons in law and one daughter in law, Kathryn Brown, Bob Greene, and Tom Van Berkem. Her grandsons Ben Van Berkem and James Greene were devoted to her. Muff also leaves her sister and brother in law, Jeanne and Wray Cornwell, sister in law Geneve Suttle, and stepmother Ruth Walker. Her many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews loved and enjoyed her. Muff was interested in life. She was an avid and tireless reader. She enjoyed knowing about all of life, its mysteries, its challenges, its blessings. Nature, animals, culture, world and current events all consumed her interest. And it goes without saying that she was always interested in people. She was a prodigious and talented gardener who loved flowers. She was one of a kind, a wonderful, fascinating person. Muff s life will be celebrated in a Memorial Service on February 8, 2014 at 1:00 PM, at the First Baptist Church of Redlands. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in her name be made to Redlands Family Service, Redlands Meals on Wheels, or the Macular Degeneration Research Foundation. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Redlands.