Mary West Hunt

Mary West Hunt passed away in the early morning with her husband, Walter, and her four children comforting her with hugs, kisses, prayer and remembering experience that defined her as the loving mother and wife that created a close family. After a brief illness, her request to be in the comfort of her home allowed her family the privilege of saying goodnight as she fell asleep, in the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ. It was a gift that we had her at the home. It was our honor as her family to betide this, her final wish.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents: David and Virginia West. Her children: Bonnie Hunt Anguay and Harry Sumner Hunt. Also preceded Mary in death were her brothers: George West, Paul West and Phillip West.

Mary leaves behind her husband of 60 years, Dr. Walter Hunt. Her children: Dean Hunt and his wife Elleene Hunt of Palm Springs, CA. Roy Hunt and his wife Marti Hunt of Rancho Mirage, CA. Laura Ruiz and her husband Dr. David Ruiz of Modesto, CA. Ruth McLeod-Kearns and her spouse Dr. Kathleen Kearns of Turlock. Mary is also survived by her Son-in-Law, Robert McLeod of Waterford, CA. She had 12 grandchildren: Jonathan Hunt, Jeremy Hunt, Nathan Hunt, Marc Hunt, Derek Hunt, Christopher Gomez, Jenni Lee Gomez, Spencer McLeod, Alexander McLeod, Satchel McLeod, Todd Hunt and Holly Hunt. Also there are six great grandchildren.

Mary met the love of her life on a blind date in 1952. They were engaged in six weeks and married in six months. They have been in love since then. They proved that true love and soul mates are absolute and beautiful. This is a comfort beyond words.

Mary and Walter adopted six children. All were different ages, ethnicities and each with hurdles that they over came willingly just for us. She was an angel sent to be our mother. She taught us strength and that love is always the greatest achievement. It was important to her that we realized the importance of not just living through adversities, but to handle them with grace.. Those lessons will be engraved in our hearts forever.

Shortly after getting married, they moved to Southern California. My mom raised the children, while my father went to Loma Linda Medical School, and Residency at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital. After Residency, Walter was an Army Physician for 12 years.

In 1976, Mary and Walter, along with youngest daughter Ruth moved back to Mary’s hometown of Turlock where she resided until her passing.

Later in life, she went back to school, and received her BA, along with her credential for teaching. Mary was the 4th grade teacher at the old Gustine elementary room 19. She took special interest in kids with few resources. She would donate books, her time, and saw many students graduate. We will never know how many she gave hope to.

Mary was intelligent, well read, and an expert story teller. Even in the last week, she would become animated and tell us about what it was like to grow up in such times. Mary and Walter travelled extensively to many different countries worldwide.

Our family would like to give special thanks to Hospice of Emanuel and Providence Healthcare. They treated her with dignity and kindness as if she was their own mom. Those acts of kindness will never be forgotten.

SERVICES: Visitation on Friday, May 17, 2013 from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Chapel, 286 W. Main St., Turlock. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, 2PM, May 18th at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2400 N. Olive Ave., Turlock. Interment to follow at Turlock Memorial Park, 575 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock.

Arrangements are under the Direction of Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Service,

(209) 634-4904 www.whitehurstnortondiasfunerals.com