Mary Kokal was called by Our Father in Heaven.  She left us with love, laughter and peace in her heart at Paramount Court Senior Living where she was surrounded with loving care.

Mary led an active, social life. She was born in New Britain, Conn., attended Cook County Nursing School in Chicago, Illinois where she spent three years of training, escapades of youth and met her future husband, William Kokal.  They lived an outgoing city life and shared their love of the arts with many friends before moving to Turlock in 1951 to be near her parents, Anna and David Benjamin, and brothers Franklin (Virginia) Benjamin  and Marshall (Lu, deceased) Benjamin.  Here they raised two daughters, Linda (David) Takvorian and Dawn Kokal (Mark Cooper).

Mary enjoyed being a housewife before returning to her profession as a nurse for Dr. Collins and Turlock Community Hospital.  She later retired as Director of Nursing for Elness Convalescent Hospital in 1982.  Mary and Bill enjoyed traveling with their dear friends Matt and Ann Bosiljevac of Indiana.  They also had an active social life with friends from work, the Masons, and the Turlock Presbyterian Church groups.  Mary was predeceased by her husband Bill in 1986.

Mary then enjoyed traveling the world with close friends, golfing, gardening, church groups, but she found the greatest joy with her grandchildren William Takvorian (Kobey Matsushige) and Sara Takvorian and being called “Nana”, where she remained young at heart and with whom she shared her many talents and pleasures.  Her greatest gift to them was her belief in “going for it” and experiencing all that life can offer you.

Family and friends are invited to her remembrances on Tuesday, Jan 6, at 11:30am for a graveside service at Turlock Memorial Park and a 1pm memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church on Berkeley Ave, Turlock .