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Obituary for Mary Sarah Henson
Mary Sarah Henson May 1, 1916 - Sept. 10, 2010 Mary Sarah Henson passed away at a local care facility in Gold Beach on Friday, Sept. 10, 2010. She was 94. Mary was born May 1, 1916 in Chariton, IA to Perry and Rachel (Coffelt) Goben. Orphaned at the age of 12, May spent most of her teenage years in a convent. She married James Zuber on June 20, 1936 in Creston, IA. During WWII, Mary worked as one of the "Rosie The Riveters" in Rock Island, IL and Portland, OR. She later married Louis Lee Henson on June 20, 1946 in Pine Bluff, AR. Following the war, she worked as a migrant farm worker and in canneries in California. She was eventually employed by the Department of Motor Vehicles in California from which she retired June 29, 1972. Mary was a Purple Heart Mother after her son, John Michel Henson, was killed in Vietnam in 1969. Mary loved reading and was an avid reader even in the last days of her life. She also loved camping, traveling, her dogs and crafts of all kinds including crocheting, knitting and plastic canvas. She was always active and was a tireless volunteer in her children's schools and at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Mary was also a member of St. Charles Catholic Church where she attended Crusillo, bible study and was a staunch supporter of Right To Life. One of the highlights of her life was a trip just a few years ago to Rome where she was greeted personally by Pope Benedict XVI. Mary was also a member of the DAR and a charter member of CPA 8. She was a loved and cherished mother of Rober Zuber, Jean Zuber, Patty Wills (Don), Lee Henson (AJ), John Henson, Georgia Henson, Sharon Ringquist (Daniel), Janis Scott, Vicki Perry (Gary) and Kathy Henson. Mary also had 44 grandchildren, 69 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her four brothers, and her sons, Robert James Zuber and John Michel Henson. She gave an incredible inheritance to everyone with whom she came in contact - the strength she role modeled, her sense of humor, her work ethic, her passion for what she believed in, her deep spiritual faith, her selfless giving to others, her "Little Engine That Could" philosophy, her landing sunny side up attitude and her intellectual curiosity that never stopped. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Charles Catholic Church in Gold Beach and at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Sacramento, CA. Mary was laid to rest in Calvary Lawn and Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
