Mary Jean Harrold

HARROLD, Mary Jean McKay Passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, January 3, 2015, in Sacramento, California. She was 91. Mary Jean was born in St. Paul, Oregon, the third of three children to Albert and Edna McKay. She attended Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. During her first week there she met her husband-to-be Elmer Harrold, an upperclassman, whose uncle, Bruce R. Baxter, was president of the University. Elmer and Mary Jean married in 1944 in Raleigh, North Carolina shortly before he deployed to the South Pacific as a Lieutenant JG in the US Navy. The accompanying photo is of Elmer and Mary Jean on their wedding day. After Elmer returned from his tour of duty, the couple settled in Sacramento, California where Elmer joined his father, Ellsworth Harrold, at the family business, Harrold Ford, of which Elmer would later become president. While in Sacramento, Mary Jean was active with the Sacramento Junior League and she also enjoyed her time on the golf course at Del Paso Country Club. Mary Jean and Elmer were married more than fifty years upon Elmer's death in 1997. Mary Jean was the proud mother of Steven Ellsworth Harrold, Nancy Harrold and Ann Harrold Taylor, and she was adored by her grandchildren Alexander John Taylor, Marisa Harrold Taylor, Emily Joy Harrold, and Adrienne Edwin Harrold Lowenstein. On Christmas Day 2014, shortly after her 91st birthday, she was joined by her entire family at her Sacramento home including her five great-grandchildren, Celia and Benjamin Lowenstein with parents Adrienne and Jason Lowenstein, Stella and Juliet Bindernagel with parents Emily Harrold and Seth Bindernagel, and Lila Taylor with parents Lesley and Alex Taylor. This family celebration saluted the long life of Mary Jean, a strong, proud and beautiful woman. During her final years, Mary Jean was cared for by Vika Ramalasou of Loving Angels In Home Care and Raichel Seru, both of whom the family is incredibly grateful for. There will be a private family service. Memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Sacramento, California.