Mary Alice Freeman

Mary Alice was born to father Robert Davidson Stockton and mother Laura Montana Stockton (née Saint) on July 18th, 1934 at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, Montana.

Mary Alice, affectionately known as “Mimi,” was the eldest of six children. She was preceded in death by her sister Stephanie Schrimshire, and her memory will be cherished by her surviving siblings - Suzanne Stockton, Robert Stockton, Kate Austin, and Laurence Stockton - and their families.

Mary Alice spent her early years with her parents, paternal grandparents, and sisters Stephanie and Suzanne on their ranch, Craigantler Ranch, just west of Thompson Falls, Montana. She attended Thompson Falls Elementary School from 1940 through 1942.

In early 1943, the Stockton family moved to Spokane, Washington. There, Mary Alice enrolled in Hutton Elementary School, where she met lifelong friend Diane Pettibone.

As a student at Lewis and Clark High School, a desire to join the band (and meet boys) inspired Mary Alice - already a talented musician - to take up the bass fiddle. Mary Alice also played bass for and was a leader in Lewis and Clark’s orchestra, and she served as a bass instructor for the Spokane Public Schools Summer Music Program.

In 1952, Mary Alice was elected a Lilac Lark Princess. She graduated high school shortly thereafter.

After graduation, Mary Alice briefly attended Eastern Washington University, where she majored in music. She played bass fiddle for Eastern Washington University’s band and for the Spokane Philharmonic Orchestra and became a member of the Local 105 Federated Musicians Union.

In 1953, she married Donald Neal Weaver (1933-2003), and in October of that year, their son, Michael Donald Worley (1953-2015), was born.

Following her divorce from Don Weaver, Mary Alice wed James Lewis Worley (1931-2021) in 1955. They welcomed son James Robert Worley and daughters Deborah Kay Shaffer (née Worley) and Susan Elizabeth Carter (née Worley).

In the summer of 1962, the family relocated to Concord, California.

In 1965, Mary Alice enrolled in Diablo Valley College to begin a career in nursing. After moving to Placentia, California in 1967, she finished her degree at Fullerton Junior College, earning her Associate of Arts in Nursing in 1969.

When the family returned to Concord later that year, Mary Alice took a job at Mt. Diablo Hospital (now John Muir North Campus). As a nurse on the post-surgery floor and in the ICU, she brought comfort and cheer to countless patients. Mary Alice’s generous and caring heart and exuberant sense of humor quickly became legendary - and are still a source of joy today!

After retiring from Mt. Diablo Hospital, Mary Alice managed the office of esteemed thoracic surgeon Dr. Nils Parson, whom she greatly admired.

Following her divorce from Jim Worley and her retirement from Dr. Parson’s clinic, Mary Alice married longtime friend Wallace Arthur Freeman (1931-2018) in September 1990 and was excited to welcome his daughters, Shari Brannen (1958-2008) and Teri Burke, into her family.

Mary Alice was active in her community and continued to care for others as a member of the Walnut Creek Medical Center Auxiliary, supporting John Muir Hospital.

But nothing made her happier than being a loving “Nana” to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Michelle Hernandez (1969-2021) (James Robert), Melissa Brannen (Shari), Jeremy Burke (Teri), James Carter (Susan), Rachel Duanmu (née Carter) (Susan), Sarena Sarabia (née Burke) (Teri), Sarah Shaffer (Deborah), Rebecca Shaffer (Deborah), James Mendoza (Michelle), Michael Mendoza (Michelle), Emilia Sarabia (Sarena), Stephanie Duanmu (Rachel), and Vincent Sarabia (Sarena).

Mary Alice was also a loving and enthusiastic in-law to Pat Worley (1939-2011) (James Robert), Bill Brannen (Shari), Michael Burke (Teri), Jim Carter (Susan), Craig Shaffer (Deborah), Eric Lindstrom (Susan), Gina Nowicki (Michael Donald), Alan Duanmu (Rachel), Zoe Lo (James Carter), and Jorge Sarabia (Sarena).

In the summer of 2018, following her husband, Wally’s, passing, Mary Alice moved to San Jose, California to live with her daughter Deborah and her family - husband Craig and daughters Sarah and Rebecca.

Despite many challenges, including multiple bouts of cancer, Mary Alice remained strong - and never without her sense of humor! In July 2024, she was blessed to celebrate her 90th birthday surrounded by family and friends. If she were here, she would want to thank everyone who helped to fill her 90 years with love!

Mary Alice’s love of good music, good company, and a good laugh (and cows and the color purple) were apparent even in her final moments. We take comfort in the knowledge that she is watching over us always - just as she did all her life!

In accordance with her wishes, Mary Alice's family will gather to remember her and to scatter her ashes in Montana, her childhood home, on her birthday this summer.