Mary Lyman Wait

MARY LYMAN WAIT
February 4, 1942 ~ May 30, 2021 (age 79)

DEVOTED & BELOVED WIFE, MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, DAUGHTER, SISTER, AUNT, COUSIN, FRIEND

Mary Lyman Wait of Escondido, CA passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 30, 2021. She was 79 years wise and kind.

Mary was born in Portland, Oregon on February 4, 1942 to parents Martha Myers Lyman and Norman C. Lyman – who both preceded her in joining the Lord in Heaven. Mary, her parents, and her younger sister (Sue Lyman Zen) lived all around the country during Mary’s childhood. The family ultimately settled in Eugene, OR where Mary graduated from High School in 1960. She later received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Washington State University, and subsequently began her elementary school teaching career in Beaverton, OR.

Mary moved abroad in 1966 to teach children on Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines during the War in Vietnam. It was there in 1968 that she first met her beloved husband, Kenneth E. Wait. The two began a lifelong love affair, partnership and were married in Denver, CO in July 1970. While living in Denver, Mary and Ken had their three children: eldest son (Brannon C. Wait) and two daughters (Jeni R. Wait and Emily M. Wait).

Mary and her family eventually moved from Denver to San Diego, CA in 1984 where she enjoyed a strong community of friends and family through the balance of her life. Mary continued her love for children and teaching career in San Diego and enjoyed several subsequent “careers” before retiring as a Moving Relocation Specialist from Mayflower Van Lines in 2011.

Mary’s true passion was always in The Arts – particularly music and drama. She was a skilled musician, vocalist as well as gifted painter/drawer and set designer. She contributed her creative artistic talents in many of the local schools and churches by designing stage sets for musical productions. Her sought-after set-design work was a staple part of the North County performing arts community for the better part of the last three decades.

Mary has been dedicated to the Lord and active in church all her life participating in youth, choir, and orchestra ministries. Most recently, she was an active member of Emmanuel Faith Community Church in Escondido, CA where Mary served faithfully and developed dozens of friendships.

Mary was a kind, caring, gracious, and loving friend to so many over her lifetime. She was a strong, beautiful, loving, and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and cousin to her family – who all love her deeply and will miss her so very much.

Mary is survived in her immediate family by husband, Kenneth Wait of Escondido, CA; son and daughter-in-law, Brannon and Kristen Wait of Las Vegas, NV; daughters Emily and Jeannette Wait of Escondido, CA; grandson Camron Wait of Castle Rock, CO; grandson Tyler Wait of Langhorne, PA; sister and brother-in-law Sue and Roger Zen of Payson, AZ; nephew and wife Scott and Mindy Owens of Mesa, AZ.

A Memorial Service & Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on June 26, 2021 at Emmanuel Faith Community Church (639 E. 17th Avenue in Escondido, CA). Mary will be laid to rest in a private Burial Service at Miramar National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary's honor and memory to Emmanuel Faith Community Church’s “Outreach Fund." 
 

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