Mary Frances Reynoso

On March 16, 2023 Mary Frances Reynoso, loving wife and mother of two, passed away at the age of ninety-two, just 23 days after her husband’s passing. Mary was born on June 7, 1930 to Harold Monroe Mabrey and Mary Eva Raffetto Mabrey in Los Angeles, California. To her close friends and family, Mary was known as “Ginger,” a nickname given her by her father because of her auburn-colored hair. Mrs. Reynoso had a proud family history.  Her maternal great grandparents arrived in America from Genoa, Italy during the California Gold Rush. They settled in Newtown, California and later moved to Placerville.  Her maternal grandparents lived in Placerville and Sacramento.  Mrs. Reynoso’s father’s family were descendants of Governor William Whipple, Jr. of New Hampshire. Whipple signed the Declaration of Independence. Her paternal grandfather Eli Nelson Mabrey was a graduate of Stanford University, and lived with her grandmother Martha Streeter in Piedmont, California until their deaths.

Mrs. Reynoso lived in Walla Walla, Washington, Oakland and Placerville, California during her childhood, but later moved with her invalid mother to live in Modesto, California with her aunt and uncle Mr. and Mrs. Daniel C. Maybury.  She then graduated from Modesto High. Mary later moved to Sacramento with her mother and grandmother where she worked for Hales Department Store as a sales-person and as an occasional ramp model. She attended City College and subsequently met and married Edward Reynoso (of Woodland, CA).  When Mr. Reynoso enlisted in the Army and did his basic training at Monterey’s Fort Ord, Mary and her mother followed, living in Pacific Grove. During that period Mary went to work for the Holman Family where she again worked as a sales-person at their department store in downtown Pacific Grove.  After Edward’s service ended, they moved to Sacramento where they purchased their first home with the help of the Veterans Administration and began a family. The Reynoso’s remained in their North Sacramento home for more than six decades.

Mrs. Reynoso worked for many years at Heick & Moran, first as PBX Operator and later in their accounting department. Mary spent the majority of her working life in the accounting departments of Sacramento companies. A full-time career woman, she cared for her mother while also finding time to support her children. She served as PTA President and Cub Scout den mother as well as taking on many other volunteer roles where her daughter and son were involved. Mary also had a longtime group of women friends who were, with her, members of Soroptimist International. She and her husband Ed loved to dance and were members of a local dance club for several decades. She was a fantastic cook.  Mary also loved the piano and playing the music standards of her youth.

Mary, “Ginger.” was best known for her quick-witted humor, fierce determination, and generous spirit. She had her humor until the end.  She is survived by her daughter Karen Conover of Aurora, Colorado, son Randall Reynoso of Sacramento, and grandsons Lon Lundgren of San Francisco, Bryson Reynoso of Sacramento, and Vincent Lundgren of Roseville, California. Mary was also a great-grandmother and is survived by Elyssa Lundgren and Emilee Lundgren, both of Arizona, and Julius Reynoso of Sacramento. A rosary and funeral mass were held for both Mary and her husband Edward on March 17^th, at St. Mary’s Cemetery and Funeral Center at 6509 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento, California. The family would like to thank Cindy Silveira and Mirabel at Sacramento’s Carlton Plaza – Memory Care as well as Nurse Matt at Suncrest Hospice for their kindness and the quality care that Mary received. Those who are able please donate to Sacramento’s Society for the Blind.