Mary Patricia Wiseman's Obituary
Mary Patricia Wiseman (nee Healy) died peacefully at age 93 on August 21, 2023. Despite her declining health in recent years, Mary continued to enjoy visits from her family and friends, keeping up on news and events, and recalling fond memories of raising her five children (Nancy, Rich, Tim, Tricia and Karen) with her beloved husband of 54 years, Martin R. Wiseman, who passed away in 2009.
Mary was born on November 2, 1929, in New York City to Timothy Healy and Hanna Healy (nee McNamara), who emigrated from County Clare in Ireland. Together with her two brothers, Mary grew up in a spirited and lively home surrounded by Irish relatives. She attended Blessed Sacrament High School and later worked as a secretary at Equitable Life Insurance, where she and Marty would eventually meet. For Mary, memories of her early life in New York remained a constant presence. When visiting the city after several decades of living in California, she once proclaimed, “I come alive in this town!”
Mary and Marty married on November 5, 1955, and immediately moved to Los Angeles. She would spend the rest of her life in Southern California (both in Orange County and San Diego). Mary was a devoted wife, caring mother and loyal friend. While raising five active children in a busy and happy household, she took great pleasure and pride in decorating her home, playing bridge, gardening, and supporting Marty in his career as an executive at Aerojet-General.
Throughout her life, Mary maintained a great sense of style, sharp wit and a deep commitment to her Catholic faith. She managed a lifelong challenge of hearing loss with grace and resolve. She will be loved forever by her children, their spouses and eight grandchildren: Garret, Rhett, Katie, Eric, Jack, Matthew, John and Sam.
The Wiseman family is extremely grateful to all of Mary’s caregivers and for the loving support and comfort they provided to her these last few years.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?