Mary Martha Gigante

Mary Martha Rettemyer-Gigante was born November 1, 1921 in Buchtel, Ohio to Edward Rettemyer and Frances McLichock-Rettemyer. Buchtel was a small coal mining town in the hills south of Columbus, Ohio, and Mary was a coal-miner’s daughter. They were a family of modest means - growing their own vegetables and raising chickens for food when times were tough. Of the four daughters and one son born to Edward and Frances, sisters Anne, Martha and Alice were younger than Mary. Son Edward, the eldest, died at a young age. When Mary was 10 years old, her mother passed away unexpectedly, leaving her and her sisters in the care of their father. Being the eldest of the four girls Mary took on much of the responsibilities of watching over her younger sisters. As Mary entered into her teen years, her father suffered a stroke and was hospitalized, unable to take care of the children or himself. At that time, Mary and her sisters were divided and sent to live with various aunts and uncles. Mary’s father spent the remaining years of his life partially paralyzed and in a Veteran’s Hospital where he died in 1941.

Mary was a hard worker with a solid work ethic from a young age. During her high school years she had many small jobs including ironing, babysitting and mending which provided her extra money and experience. In school she excelled in grammar and spelling and in high school, she participated in several clubs and societies most of which supported scholastic achievement or promoted high character. Upon graduation from North High School in Buchtel, Mary moved to Columbus and worked in a clerical position. She enjoyed working and her independence, spending her time off with her sisters and friends. In 1944 she and two girlfriends decided to enlist in the US Marine Corps. Mary began her active service in the US Marine Corps in January of 1945 and attained the rank of Corporal by the time of her Honorable Discharge in May of 1946.

Still living in Columbus after her military service, Mary met her future husband Victor Gigante during a picnic to which she’d been invited by her sister and brother-in-law. On August 26, 1950 the young couple were wed. After a period of time Mary and Victor moved with young daughter Sallie Anne to New York City. It is here daughter Victoria Sue was born. After a few years Mary and Victor then moved south with their two daughters to Miami Beach, FL. Not finding quite what they were seeking, they then proceeded west to California for a new life, settling in the San Fernando Valley. It was here their lives began to take root - Victor finished his college education while working in aerospace and Mary took a job as an Administrative Secretary with Hughes Aircraft Company. When daughter Anna Marie was born Mary took a leave of absence for several years then returned to work at Hughes Aircraft Company, but this time in Orange County, California where the family had since relocated. Mary enjoyed her work – she was a committed employee who was always pleasant and rarely missed a day or called in sick. She continued with her position at Hughes Aircraft Company until retiring in 1985.

With three daughters and a full time job, life was often tiring but Mary enjoyed her girls. She loved fashion, dresses and sewing as did daughter Victoria. Together they would spend weekend afternoons browsing the fabric store and pattern books. One of Mary’s special talents was sewing perfectly fit, fashionable, tiny dresses for Barbie dolls. The detail and fine work was reflective of her precise and committed nature. Gardening was another of Mary’s special interests, this one being shared over the years by daughter Anna. Mary took classes in plant identification so she and Victor were able to design and plant the backyard of their new Orange County home. Each plant was researched, selected, planted and referred to by its proper botanical name – again reflective of Mary’s meticulous personality. Daughter Sallie, being the eldest, shared a special bond with her mother and together, their many journeys were memorable adventures.

During retirement, Mary and Victor moved about Orange County. In later years they relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada where they enjoyed the casinos and diversity the city offered. They especially loved the buffet and pub at Main Street Station Casino. Mary allowed Victor to adopt a dog which they creatively named ‘Dog.’ This dog, with many idiosyncrasies, became their cherished companion. Always thinking of Dog, each time Mary and Victor would go to the casino buffet, Mary would load a doggie-bag with a 12oz. choice filet for Dog to enjoy at home. She would plop the filet into the doggie-bag, neatly tuck the bag into her purse, then go about enjoying the buffet as though it was nothing unusual to have a ¾ lb steak in one’s purse.

In 2007 Mary and Victor relocated back to California. Victor’s health had begun to decline and Mary, although physically healthy, had been diagnosed with the onset of dementia. As her dementia progressed, and Victor’s health declined, the family could no longer adequately care for her special needs and she became a resident at Brookside Healthcare in Redlands, California. At Brookside Mary was happy. She was able to do almost as she pleased and socialize with the many other residents. Because she was no longer able to walk, she would be found scooting around the halls in her wheelchair – often taking it upon herself to go into the room of another resident where she’d straighten their blankets or cover their feet. Other times she’d be found at the nurse’s station ‘supervising’ intently as the nurses completed their paperwork.

Mary and Victor were blessed to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on August 26, 2010 – Mary’s Brookside friends helped make it a memorable event. She was a much loved resident of Brookside, by both the staff and other residents, and lived there until her passing on December 18, 2013. Victor preceded her in death, passing in April of 2011 from advanced prostate cancer.

Mary is survived by sister Anne McCauley of Medford, Oregon; daughters Sallie Anne Simpson of Eagle Point, Oregon, Victoria Sue Bovard of Beaumont, California and Anna Marie Allissi of Redlands, California; Grandchildren Anne Marie Drury of Grants Pass, Oregon, Kristin Bovard of Lauderhill, Florida and Daniel Bovard of Austin, Texas; Great-grandchildren Ashley, Brandon, Brock, Lilley, Jameson and Hudson; and great-great-grandchildren Isabella and Brody.

Memorial service Thursday, January 9, 2014, at 2:00pm, at Weaver Mortuary, 1177 Beaumont Avenue, Beaumont, California. Interment Friday, January 10, 2014, at 11:45am, at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, California.

Arrangements were entrusted to Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, California.