Mary Lee (Dunshee) Sauer 8/11/16 - 8/31/09 Passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, as the sun set on August 31st. Mary Lee was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, George A. Sauer, her son, George Lindsay Sauer, her sister Alyce Fernley and brother, Clark Dunshee. She was the beloved mother of Barbara Sauer (Maui) and Holly Henry (Morgan Hill) and cherished mother-in-law of John Henry. She is survived by her adored grandson, George Keller, his wife Lindsay and great grandsons George Jacob, Samuel and Max Keller. Their visit in early August made her last days the happiest possible. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara Brown, her three nephews and their families. Mary Lee was born in St. Lake City, Utah, to Clark O. Dunshee and Mary Lindsay Dunshee. She was raised in the small town of Beaver, Utah and then moved with her family to New Jersey where she attended high school and college. She married George A. Sauer in 1937 and after several moves arrived in Los Gatos in 1954. The family then settled in Campbell in 1957. Always an avid reader, Mary Lee went back to college to study Library Science. She then worked as an administrative assistant at West Valley College in the Counseling Dept. which was perfectly suited to her helpful, caring and cheerful personality. She developed many dear and lasting friendships from her days at WVC. In retirement she loved to travel, always curious to learn and expand her world. She enjoyed trips to China, Europe, Canada and Mexico but one of her favorite destinations was the Henry's back deck in Montana, watching the river flow and the birds soar. We will celebrate her life with a Memorial Mass on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lucy's Church, 2350 Winchester Blvd., Campbell. Please consider contributions in her honor to Hospice of the Valley, 4850 Union Ave., San Jose, CA 95124.
Published in San Jose Mercury News on Sept. 20, 2009 -