Mary passed away at her home in Morro Bay, California on June 25, 2014. She was born in Langdon, North Dakota, on December 10, 1941 to Frank and Helen Schmidt.
Mary graduated from Center High School in 1959 and went on to earn her AA degree in Early Childhood Education from Allan Hancock College. In 1975, she began her preschool teaching career at Santa Maria Daycare Center. In te mid 80's she worked for the YMCA preschool in Lompoc for several years, later moving on to the Community Action Commission where she worked as the center director before retiring in 2003.
Mary loved to read, work on crossword puzzles, watch Jeopardy, spend time with her enormous family, and relax with her trusty feline sidekick Diana. She served as a Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout leader and Red Cross Volunteer. She was an active parent for many years with the Lompoc Marlins Swim Club and read to youth by way of a volunteer program sponsored by the Lompoc Library.
Mary is survived by 7 of her children and 10 grandchildren, Michael Espino, David Espino (spouse Peggy Espino, Nathan Espino, Emily Espino), Paul Espino, Lynn Zook (spouse Kristian Zook, Ryder Zook), Elana Espino-Mitchell (spouse Mike Mitchell, Cera Mitchell, Kira Mitchell), Suzanne Espino (Vivia Brum), Jennifer Espino-Smith (spouse Mike Smith, Kaden Smith, Merrick Smith), her Son-in-Law Ernest Terrones (Nicole Terrones, Andrew Terrones), her sister Diana Miller and brother Thomas Schmidt.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband Mike Espino, her daughter Catherine Espino-Terrones, her sister Judith Schmidt, and her parents Frank and Helen Schmidt.
Services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2014 at the chapel of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. Visitation for family and friends will be one hour prior to service time. Burial will follow at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary's name to her favorite non-profit organization Volunteers for Inter-Valley Animals (VIVA), or to Friends of the Lompoc Public Library.
Mom, we miss your sweetness and your kind, generous heart. Thank you for teaching us the importance of family and for giving so selflessly to us all and to so many others.