Mary Teresa Herold

Mary Teresa Herold (née Murray), aged 77, of San Diego, California, departed peacefully at her home after bravely facing Alzheimer's for several years.

Born in 1948 near Chicago, Illinois, Mary was the third of eight children and her large family moved around a bit before they settled in Durham, North Carolina. Despite the distance brought on by marriage and life, Mary always cherished her brothers and sisters deeply.

In 1969, Mary received a BA in Psychology from UNC - Chapel Hill and married David. They first moved to Utah, as David had been drafted into military service, and then Virginia a few years later, where they raised their two children that she adored. They moved to San Diego in 1991 after their children were both off at college.

A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Mary dedicated her life to nurturing her family and the pursuit of education for herself and her family. Beyond her college years, she embraced new challenges such as learning to ride a motorcycle and taking flying lessons. An adventurer at heart, she delighted in travel, road trips, and meeting new people.

Mary's compassion knew no bounds. She regularly visited hospitals, offering comfort to premature babies and young cancer patients. Though initially hesitant around dogs, she formed a heartfelt bond with a Labrador she affectionately named Dog, embarking on adventures together. Her love extended to cats as well, opening her heart and home to senior cats Cali and Inki, and her rescue cat, Angel.

Preceded in death by her parents, Mary leaves behind a legacy of love through her husband of 57 years, her children, grandchildren, siblings, and treasured pets. In her memory, contributions to Alzheimer's research, your favorite charities, or local pet rescues are warmly welcomed.

Mary's spirit of giving and exploration will be cherished by all who knew her.