Mary Lee Wiberg Howland                    

November 25, 1937 – July 10, 2017

Mary Lee Wiberg Howland was born November 25, 1937, in Los Banos, CA to Ted and Jean Wiberg. She grew up in Merced and Catheys Valley. As a young girl, Mary Lee worked in her parent’s Four Star Market located on “G” Street in Merced. She graduated Class of ’55 from Merced High School. Mary Lee went on to attend business college in San Jose. She was then able to purchase her first car, a pale yellow 1956 Pontiac Star Chief which she loved to cruise in along 17th Street.  

Mary Lee met her husband, Hugh Howland, while visiting family in Chowchilla. The couple married in 1965 then moved to Southern California to begin their lives together. Mary Lee and Hugh raised their three beautiful daughters in Hemet, CA and lived in the same home for 46 years. She served the Hemet Unified School District for 22 years as a dedicated noon supervisor at Ramona Elementary School.

Mary Lee had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh! She was easy going and enjoyed dancing, good food, and spending time with her family.

Mary Lee passed away in the early morning hours of July 10, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh, daughter Brenda Sue Purkerson, and brother Carl Wiberg. She is survived by her daughters Veraonica Howland and Sara Cohee, and siblings Vera Jean Gaumnitz, John Wiberg, Emily Skaggs, Ted Wiberg, and Dorothy Wiberg.

Mary Lee was grandmother to Hugh Andrew Howland and Rebecca Sue Lyon. She was also great-grandmother to Caiden Andrew Howland and aunt to numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary Lee brought much laughter to all who knew her and she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

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