Mary Anderson Wheeler

Mary was born in Camden, South Carolina in December 1961 to Garen and Winifred Anderson. She graduated from The Academy of Holy Names in Tampa and attended Hillsborough Community College before entering the United States Navy where she served 20 years as an Intelligence Specialist. She served for several years in San Diego working with Seal Time 5. Mary cited one of her privileges in serving in the Navy was the opportunity to work alongside Admiral Michelle Howard, who later commended Mary’s work at Mary’s retirement ceremony.

Mary moved from the Navy into security work for Mitre Corporation in their security division. She worked there until the illness that later claimed her also forced her to retire. Nonetheless, she kept up the fond friendships she had developed, such that she was invited to the annual Christmas party at Mitre for years after she had to leave work.

Mary spent the subsequent years not as a sailor but as a warrior. She fought cancer with fortitude and faith. Her doctors were inevitably impressed with her ability to meet the next unfavorable finding and beat it repeatedly. The options ran out before she did.

Mary has been a member of the Marine Memorial/Breakwater Community Church for approximately 15 years. Mary had a very deep faith in God, her faith was the source of her strength. Mary enjoyed music, reading, books and spending time with family.

Mary is survived by her son Robert Wheeler, her ex-husband Les Wheeler, Sisters Peg Harris and Karen Anderson, her brother Jeff Anderson and mother, Winifred Anderson. Mary was pre-deceased by her father, Garen Anderson.

Memorial service will be held Saturday, April 16, 2pm at Breakwater Community Church 506 S Nevada Street, Oceanside, CA at 2:00PM