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Mary Anne Hastings

About

Pomona High School

Mary Hastings Obituary

The most loving mother we could ever have dreamed of, Mary Anne, crossed over into the arms of her father, Andruss Bishop Northup, (Dady), her mother Anne Rebecca (Minter) Northup (Lover), her sister Margaret Elizabeth Burke (Migit), her son-in-law, Kent Arthur Peterson, and her little Westie, Sally Rose.

Mary Anne was born in Teague, Texas. She grew up in Santa Monica, and later Pomona, California during the Great Depression and WWII. During the Depression, her parents taught her to always look on the sunny side, to see the best in any situation. They walked and roller skated to Ganesha Park, carrying a hot dish in a cast iron pot for dinner. They had "candle light dinners" when the lights were out, and her mother made their clothing. They never complained even when they did not know "where their next meal was coming from". Often on Saturday nights, the family entertainment was to walk to the train station to watch the big locomotives pull into the station. During WWII Mary Anne worked at the paper mill, then Loud's Machine Shop, cleaning airplane parts.

She married George William Hastings September 9, 1946. When her family was young, she created loving memories of taking her children and nieces to the beach, and baking cookies. Living on the cliff of the ocean in Brookings, Oregon she enjoyed family times hiking down to the beach.

Mary Anne graduated from Fremont Junior High, Pomona High School, El Camino Jr College, and California State College at Long Beach with a teaching credential. She later earned a credential in Special Education. She taught elementary school in Lynwood, California, Brookings, and Gold Beach, Oregon. She created the preschool, and day care, Chetco Child Development Center. After moving to Colorado Springs in 1992, she worked at the Children's Museum, and The Children Literacy Center. She influenced so many children's lives, and lives on in their hearts.

She was the "fairy godmother" of her neighborhood on the West Side. She brought her wonderful neighbors together for "Flamingo Fridays". She loved her neighbors, and enjoyed their walks together with their dogs.

Everyone who was fortunate to know Mary Anne was Blessed by her amazing, free, loving Spirit. Her bright smile shined on everyone, and brightened their day.

Her children, Rege William Hastings and Jo Anne Peterson, cannot be more thankful to have had her for their mother. She was told every day, "You are the best mom in the world". She was supportive, loving, fun, and caring.

Her Spirit lives on in the hearts of her brother and his wife, Hiram Andruss Northup and Elizabeth Northrup, her grandchildren and great grandchildren and their families, Rain and Sequoia Hastings, Buffy, Ben, Lucy, Rose, and Grace Lenth, Sierra, Kupono, Kamele, Aukai McDaniel, Leif Peterson, Wyatt and Vanessa Peterson.

Her Spirit passed over with her family around her, loving her during that time, as we have loved her all of our lives.

If you would like to honor her, in lieu of flowers, please send a donation to North End Adult Day Care Center, The Children's Literacy Center, or The Parkinson's Foundation. A Celebration of Life will be planned for a future date.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Dec. 29, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary Hastings

17 Entries

Suzi Stein

December 24, 2023

I think about her a lot and miss talking to her. I always felt close to her. Loved her so much. Suzi

Suzi Stein

December 26, 2022

I think about so much . I miss talking and laughing with her. We all loved her so much.

Catherine Campbell

December 23, 2021

Hey Mary Anne,
I just want you to know that I still deeply miss our friendship and outings. Your amazing gifted spirit sure does live on in your daughter,JoAnne, my dear friend.
Always,
Catherine Campbell

Catherine Campbell

December 23, 2020

Miss you , Mary Ann❤

melinda goodyear

January 1, 2017

Such a wonderful and sweet friend. Thank you for sharing your life. You and Sally Rose came into my life with so much love, joy and fun...RIP

Bernadette and Joe Tighe

December 31, 2016

I worked with Mary Anne at the Children's Museum. She taught me so much and I cherish the times we spent together. What a lady, she gave so much to others and expected nothing in return. Much love to her nice family!

Such a great smile always

Catherine Campbell

December 30, 2016

Don, Suzi, Mary Anne, and JoAnne

Suzi and Don Stein

December 30, 2016

Mary Anne was my Aunt and we honored her by getting married on her Birthday. We loved visiting her in Manhattan Beach, Oregon, and Colorado. I remember going with her and Don to see Neil Diamond. We had so much fun. About a year ago we were visiting and went shopping together. We pushed her all over the store looking for good finds and laughing. We also went grocery shopping (usually a mundane chore) but this was far from that. We giggled and had a great time. She had fun and said she had not been to the grocery store for awhile. It was fun doing those things with her.We will both miss laughing, sharing and visiting with her. See you soon Love Suzi and Don

Don, Suzi, Mary Anne, and JoAnne

Suzi and Don Stein

December 30, 2016

Mary Anne was my Aunt and very special to me. To honor her we got married on her Birthday. We spoke and visited often. We will miss chatting, laughing and sharing with her. We always looked forward to visiting her in Manhattan Beach, Oregon and Colorado. I remember going with her and Don to see Neil Diamond and how excited she was and how much fun we had. About a year ago we were visiting and took her shopping. One of the things we did was grocery shopping (which is sort of Mundane) but this trip was fun. We pushed her in her wheel chair and she held the small basket in her lap. We all laughed and she had lots of fun. There are so many happy things to remember...

Thanks Mary Anne

catherine campbell

December 30, 2016

Mary Anne was gifted with people. I first met her when I was the mother of young children and she was with the local children's museum. I had the great good fortune of getting to reconnect with her at North End Adult Day Care and her beautiful smile and warmth was undimmed by the passage of time. I am so sorry for those who are grieving her passing and send you all love and light. She was a treasure and made this world a better place.

Catherine Campbell

December 30, 2016

Thank you for all the luncheons and phone chats you and I shared and for the fun happy hours and dinner outings. But mostly thank you for listening and being my friend and like a mother to me. You will be truly missed and there will always be a special place in my heart for you.

Marina LA RIVA

December 30, 2016

Mary Anne had an amazing spirit and I am so fortunate to have known her. I will always see her with that loving, warm smile and sparkling eyes. I will miss her.

Mary Anne at the Speedway races in 1981

Andy Northrup

December 29, 2016

Mary Anne was my aunt. She was a very good person and I always enjoyed visiting her when I was young. I will always remember and miss her.

Chloe Cantwell-Taylor

December 29, 2016

You will be missed dear friend. It was a real privilege working with you at the Children's Museum.

Kathy Razo (Hayes)

December 29, 2016

Your light will continue to light & shine in a different way...even tho your light on the earth plane has extinguished .

December 29, 2016

Mary Anne was the best person ever to enter into my life. Words don't do her justice she was a blessing to all who was around her. She lived her life to the fullest. Sharon Shipley

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