Individual Details

The San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego, California, Wednesday, March 21, 2007: Mary Esther Hartley Rutherford passed peacefully from this earth March 12, 2007, at the San Diego Hospice in the presence of family. She was born in Coquille, Oregon January 12, 1911 to Minnie Etta Nosler Hartley and George Hartley. Shortly afterwards, the family moved to San Diego where she resided for the better part of her ninety-six years. She was in the first class at San Diego State College where she pledged Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. In June of 1933 she married Graydon Walker Treadgold and moved to Bandon, Oregon. After surviving the fire of 1936 which destroyed the town, they moved back to San Diego. She helped her mother operate 'The Hartley House' restaurant, and later worked as a PBX operator on North Island during WWII while her husband was serving overseas. A daughter, Dee Anne, was born to them in 1948. Mary Esther cherished the close relationship with her daughter which endured throughout her life. In 1958 her life took a new direction. She started working at the new Rancho Presidio Hotel in Mission Valley (now the Red Lion Hanalei) as a front desk clerk a line of work that would employ her at various resort hotels for the next seventeen years. She and Graydon divorced in 1959. Early in 1975, she became reacquainted with Marshall Rutherford whom she had first met in college. They were married August 28, 1975, and enjoyed much of their twenty-eight years together traveling and entertaining their friends. During their marriage, Mary Esther became involved with the Children's Hospital Auxiliary, Silvergate Unit, and was an active member of All Souls Episcopal Church. She was well known for her homemade jams and jellies, and zucchini pickles which she loved to give away, and took great pride in her garden especially her roses and sweetpeas. She looked forward to bridge games with her friends, and played up until two months prior to her death. She was a woman who loved her family and friends dearly. Her usual positive attitude, and courage and determination through many adverse times was an inspiration to all whom she knew, and her many acts of kindness will long be remembered. Mary Esther is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Dee Anne and Wayne Brunner, of Escondido, and granddaughter, Allison Leigh Brunner, of Poway, together with many Hartley family members, wonderful friends and neighbors, and loving caregivers. A special thanks to all who cared for her at the San Diego last days. Your care and compassion for Mary Esther and her family assisted us through the transition, and we are forever grateful. A 'celebration' of her life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 30th, at All Souls Episcopal Church, 1475 Catalina Blvd, San Diego (Pt Loma). A private inurnment service will be held at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on April 2nd. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Rady's Children Hospital Auxiliary, 3020 Children's Way, MC5013, San Diego, 92123 or San Diego Hospice, 4311 Third Ave., San Diego, 92103, in her memory.Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com.

Birth	12 Jan 1911	Coquille, Coos Co., Oregon
Residence	1920	San Diego, San Diego Co., California
Residence	1930	San Diego, San Diego Co., California
Residence	1935	Bandon, Coos Co., Oregon
Residence	1 Apr 1940	Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Daughter - San Diego, San Diego Co., California
Marriage	28 Aug 1976	San Diego, San Diego Co., California - Marshall Lane Rutherford
Residence	1977	San Diego Co., California
Residence	1993	San Diego Co., California
Death	12 Mar 2007	San Diego Co., California
Burial		Ft Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, Sand Diego Co., California
Religion		Episcopal

Spouse

Marshall Lane Rutherford (1909 - 2004)