Mary Isabelle King

Born on July 1, 1917, in New Haven, Iowa. Passed away on April 21, 2014, in Sacramento, California.

Preceded in death by her son, James Lynn King. Survived by loving husband Lynn King , daughters Marilyn Astore (Fred), Margaret Ebeling Gipson (Walt), Linda Conroy (Don) and Jeanne Ballard (Glenn), along with sons George King (Nancy), Tim King (Jody), John King (Patty), Reverend Tommy King, OFM and Gary King (Cheryl). Her grandchildren are Lisa Brent (David), Mick Ebeling (Val), Lance Ebeling (Myra), Colin King, Katherine Coughlin (David), Michelle King, Peter Conroy (Lisa), Brittany Ballard, Jeff King (Amy), and Brian King (Nancy). Her great-grandchildren are Angus, Bo and Trace Ebeling; Enzo Ebeling; Eva, Julian and Alma Brent; Dean, Corbin, Quinn and Sage King; and Ethan King .

Born in rural Iowa, Mary was one of nine children raised on a small farm. She truly did have to walk over three miles to school (sometimes in the snow). Her family was very poor, and Mary didn’t get a new dress until the 8th Grade Spelling Bee (which she won). She was able to take piano lessons during her first years of high school and learned to play by ear. Her high school was not accredited, so she moved away from home to work as a housekeeper for a family while she finished high school. On her 18th birthday she took a bus alone to Minneapolis to begin nurse’s training. She worked long hours and graduated with her R.N. degree in the summer of 1938. Her first job paid $55.00 per month, plus room and board. She met the love of her life, Lynn King, and dated him until their marriage on June 10, 1940. Their first house had no inside plumbing. Times were hard, since Lynn worked away from home at times as a salesman.

In 1943 Lynn and Mary lost their firstborn, Jimmy, in a drowning accident; but their family continued to grow until there were five more boys and four girls. All nine children graduated from college, as well as all ten grandchildren.

Mary continued practicing as a nurse by volunteering in her children’s schools and the communities where the family lived. Her strength and faith kept the family together for over seventy-three years. She will continue to be loved and missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 10:00 in the morning at St. Francis Catholic Church, at 26th and K Streets in Sacramento, California.

Donations in Mary’s memory can be made to either:

St. Boniface Church

133 Golden Gate Avenue,

San Francisco, CA 94102

OR

The Franciscan Friars

1500 34th Avenue

Oakland, CA 94601.