Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....(Miller) Stinson, Mary Elizabeth February 20, 2005
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K T bluewolf@onemain.com February 23, 2005, 7:44 pm

The Bakersfield Californian 
Mary Elizabeth Stinson
June 6, 1916 - February 20, 2005 

Services: Friday, Feb. 25, 2 p.m.

Mary Elizabeth Stinson passed away peacefully at home on February 20, 2005. 
Mary was born on June 6, 1916, to Mae and Pierce Miller; she was the oldest of 
five children. Mary grew up on a peach ranch near Modesto, CA, where she 
learned how to drive at age twelve so she could help on the farm. She attended 
Hughson High School, Modesto Jr. College, and graduated from San Jose State. 
One of her fondest memories was student teaching in Yosemite Valley. In 1939 
she accepted a teaching position with the Standard School District. Mary 
taught at Standard School until she married Ben Stinson, Jr. on June 16, 1945. 
When Ben returned from his WWII service with the US Navy they moved to 
Tehachapi, where Ben taught at Tehachapi High School and the Tehachapi Womens 
Penal Colony. After the birth of their daughter, Sally, they returned to 
Bakersfield where Ben and Mary founded Stinson Stationers. In 1946, Mary took 
a position with the Bakersfield City School District. She was a dedicated and 
innovative teacher at Wayside Elementary School. In 1954, her third grade 
class was one of the first chosen to be on School Days, a live TV classroom 
series. Mary took a ten-year leave from teaching after Liz and Ben III were 
born. She returned to teaching at Noble School, retiring in 1978. Upon 
retirement she took over the gift and greeting card department at Stinson 
Stationers, where she remained an integral part of the business until her 
passing. 

Mary had a very independent spirit. Her strong will and determination added to 
her colorful life. She was always working on some sort of project whether it 
was at home or at the store. Mary was an avid reader and loved unusual art 
pieces. She enjoyed working in her garden filled with sunflowers and 
geraniums. She liked to entertain, and often said her favorite hobby was going 
out to eat with friends and family. Mary supported many local organizations.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Ben F. Stinson, Jr. in 1983; and 
brothers, Tom and Edgar Miller. She is survived by her brothers, Robert Miller 
of Sacramento and William Miller of Los Angeles; children, Sally Pace and 
husband, Michael of Woodlake, Liz Haley and husband, Russell of Bakersfield, 
Ben F. Stinson III and wife, Lisette of Bakersfield; grandchildren, Ryan and 
Natalie Pace, Nicholas and Matthew Haley, Cy and Mark Stinson; great 
grandchild, Seth Pace; sister-in-law, Perri Stinson of Bakersfield; brother-in-
law, Ray Stinson of Bakersfield; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, February 25, at 2 p.m. at 
Hillcrest Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be sent 
to the Bakersfield Museum of Art, P.O. Box 1911, Bakersfield, CA 93301, the 
charity of your choice, or take a friend out to lunch at your favorite 
restaurant in Marys honor. 


Additional Comments:
Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased.

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