Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
— Psalm 23:6

Mary Arnaiz passed away peacefully on Dec. 3, 2011, at the age of 83. Mary was born on Sept. 22, 1928, in Oatman, Ariz. She was a long-time resident of Idyllwild, Calif., where she raised her children and was a dearly loved member of the community. Mary was preceded in death by her son, Tom Adams. She leaves behind her loving children, daughter, Sandra Kasper and husband Jeff of Hemet, and sons, David Arnaiz II of Hailey, Idaho, Ron Arnaiz and wife Makayla of Solana Beach, and Henry Arnaiz and wife Amanda of Vista; her seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; her dog Lily; and many cherished friends.

Mary touched so many lives with her love and compassion for people. She worked for the Idyllwild Post Office for more than 30 years where she brightened the day of everyone she helped until the day she retired in 2006. Mary spent her “golden years” volunteering in her community and with her beloved church, Chapel in the Pines. She helped in her daughter’s classroom in Hemet and traveled with family and friends, even making it to Alaska which had been a dream of hers. She loved visiting her sons at their homes near the beach and cherished the visits with her son from Idaho. Walking daily with her dog Lily and spending every Wednesday visiting with her first great-grandchild, Samantha, kept Mary young at heart.

Mary will truly be missed, but her memory will live on in all who knew her. A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in the Idyllwild Elementary School cafeteria, 26700 Highway 243, Idyllwild, CA 92549. Mary generously supported many charities; in lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in Mary’s honor to your favorite charity.