Mary Lee Lincoln passed away at home, surrounded by her loving family on January 8th.  She was born in Yakima, WA to William J. Lidderdale and Mary Black.  The family eventually moved to Santa Cruz in 1939.  Living on Beach Hill she enjoyed summer swimming at the main beach and participated in the water carnivals at the Boardwalk Plunge.  She attended Laurel Elementary, Mission Hill Jr. High (where she met her future husband Bob Lincoln) and graduated from Santa Cruz High in 1947.

 

Mary Lee was proud of her Santa Cruz history.  Her mother was crowned the first Miss Santa Cruz in 1924 and her father played football for the Olympic Club in San Francisco in the early 1920s.  Her brother Bill was a lifeguard at the main beach and a member of the early Santa Cruz Surf Club.  She often talked fondly of working in downtown Santa Cruz at professional law and insurance offices in the late 1940’s. 

 

Throughout her life Mary Lee was active in the Women’s Sewing Club, the Bowling Club and 4-H leadership.  She remained active with the Santa Cruz High School alumni association and attended the annual Pioneer Picnics.  She also greatly enjoyed attending the various events of her children and grandchildren.

 

Mom loved to bake and continued to do so through her 93rd year of life. Snickerdoodles were her forte. She spent time in her garden almost every day and loved the patio where she could sit in the sun, watch and converse with the beachgoers, and tend to her beloved roses. She was a positive thinking person whose zest for life was delightful! Her many kindnesses will be long remembered.

 

Mary Lee leaves her loving memories to her four children, Janet Rupp (Phillip), Barbara Lincoln,

JoAnn Lincoln, and Bob Lincoln. She had great joy in watching her seven grandchildren grow into adulthood; Rachelle Wegge (Ross), Suzanne Rupp, Kyle Rupp (Hannah), Jeremy Lincoln (Krystal), Rafferty Lincoln (Cassi), Chris Lincoln (Emma), and Kaya Lincoln. She was blessed with two great grandchildren, Tanner and Dylan Wegge. She is also survived by her brother Gary Roberts and her nephews, George and Will Lidderdale and niece Elissa Owen.