Mary Martha Warda left this Earth on August 15, 2023 at the age of 98. Mary was born in Hughson, CA in 1925 to Saul and Zevy Warda. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a teacher’s degree. Her first seven years as a teacher were at Lowell District School, a three-teacher school, located on Geer and Keyes Roads in Hughson, CA. Seven years later, she moved to Millington, Tennessee and taught at G.E. Jeter School for white children only which added to the shock she endured living in what they referred to as “segregation schools.” The next four years, Mary taught the third grade at Livingston Elementary School in Livingston, California, followed by one year at Freshwater School in Arcata, California. After that one year at Freshwater, she moved into a home up in the mountains where she was hired as a teacher and principal at Bridgeville School. She drove down the mountain each school day and back again up the mountain. Mary worked there for six years after which she moved to San Leandro. She taught for 20 years in the San Leandro California School District. After retirement, she joined the Retired Teachers Club, which included retired teachers from San Leandro, Hayward, and Castro Valley. During those years, she was secretary, photographer, historian, and scholarship chairman and met many retired teachers from the three districts. Mary was a member and Charter President of the Hughson Antoinette Young Ladies Institute #193, which was formed in 1949.
While living in Hayward, Mary worked with the Dominican Sisters during the preparation and sales for the yearly boutique. Mary’s four brothers and three sisters along with their mother and father are greeting her with more love than one can imagine. In a heavenly tone they say, “What took you so long? We have been waiting for you to get our baseball team together again. Papa is ready to be our umpire. Do not worry; our wings will not interrupt in any way. Where is Mama you ask? Well, she is playing with the little children.”
A private graveside service was held for family at Turlock Memorial Park.
The family requests that donations be made in Mary’s memory to St. Anne’s Home for the Elderly, for the love and care they gave her.
Little Sisters of the Poor, 300 Lake St., San Francisco, CA 94118, or visit www.littlesistersofthepoorsanfrancisco.org/donate
