Mar y Mumberson Sebesta
August 18, 1939 - December 18, 2023
Mar y Mumberson Sebesta passed away peacefully on December 18, 2023, with her son, Robert by her side at the Katheryn and Charles Hover
Green Houses, in Longmont, Colorado. She is survived by two sons, Robert E Sebesta and David P Sebesta and wife Amy L (Crossman) Sebesta, and three wonderful grandchildren: Lindsey C Sebesta, Katheryn "Kate" N Sebesta, and Henry C Sebesta. She is predeceased by her husband, Henry R Sebesta. We are so grateful that she spent her last hours with her sons, daughter-in-law, granddaughters, grandson and his significant other, Gabby Palumbo, and Mary's longtime friend, Angie Reece all gathered around providing her support and comfort. Born Mary Cecil Mumberson in Alvin, Texas on August 18, 1939 to parents Cecil and Katheryn (Anderson) Mumberson, Mary excelled in school having attended primary school in Alvin, and secondary school at Alvin Junior College, Sam Houston State Teachers College, and then completed her Master's Degree in Library Science at Louisiana State University (LSU) in 1961.
After college, Mary worked at Mcmurry University in Abilene, Texas as a Catalog Librarian, and then in 1963 she took a job at the Texas State Library, Austin, Texas to be close to her fiancé, Henry and worked all summer to earn money for their wedding (August 31, 1963) and honeymoon. Mary had known Henry from high school and Alvin Junior College, and they were married over 53 years when Henry passed away in 2016.
Mary became a stay-at-home Mom when David was born in 1964, and then Mary and Henry raised their two boys while Henry's career moved them to Stillwater, Ok; Arlington, Tx; and Albuquerque, NM. Mary continued to volunteer in the libraries at each school the boys attended and stayed busy as a Swimming and Soccer Mom during those seasons. When the boys became "adults", Mary ran the family side business of real estate investing, managing the finances and communications to develop properties. The last of which became Henry and Mary's dream retirement "Eureka Ranch" property near Salida, CO. In 2008, facing the prospects of another winter at 8,500 feet of elevation, they decided to sell the ranch and move to Longmont just around the corner from David, Amy, and the grandchildren.
Mary was born with a condition called Cerebral Palsy but was raised to fight and overcome her challenges. Mary did not let this condition keep her from doing "almost everything" she wanted to do in life. Mary was always more concerned about how others were feeling than herself. At her residence in Assisted Living, her room was often a refuge where caregivers stopped for a break and discussion about life's challenges. And she loved to laugh with her caregivers and physical therapists. Mary was like a second Mom to Dwight Adkins and Gavin Gillette, close friends of her boys growing up, that have stayed connected with Mary throughout their lives. Mary always felt loved and accepted by Henry's brothers and sister and loved her nieces and nephews with all of her heart. She was an inspiration to her family, friends, and caregivers right up to her last days. May she rest in peace.
There will be a Celebration of Life in Mary's honor later this Spring near Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Mary's favorite charities for the doggies: Canine Partners of the Rockies, Longmont Humane Society, or The Iditarod Trail Committee.