Mary Balestreri

1927-2019

Late Sunday evening, on the 3rd of February 2019, Mary passed on in the arms of her children. At 92 years of age she had enjoyed an active, healthy life style. The past 4 months were difficult; complications from surgeries left her helpless; she was so ready to join her late husband Mario, with whom she enjoyed 61 years of marriage.

Mary was the only child of Elizabeth Grant-Blackburn and Robert Callaghan. Her story begins with journals of well documented history of her past generations. Mary’s 3rd great grandfather (Blackburn lineage) served with George Washington at Valley Forge, and was present to witness the surrender of the British forces. Her mother’s parents fought on opposing sides of the revolutionary war. The Grant’s were Loyalists, pledging allegiance to the Crown, and received acres of Canadian land at the end of the Revolution. The Grants had royal roots tracing back to Clan Grant Castle in Scotland.

Early pioneers, the Blackburn’s (the original 49ers), headed west by wagon train. They discovered gold by the handfuls near Truckee, California. The Blackburn’s were instrumental in bringing California to statehood, being among the first to raise the Bear Flag Republic banner all along the coast of California.

On her father’s side, the Callaghan family survived the Potato Famine immigrating to the new world by way of Alaska. Mary’s grandfather was a documented Alaskan gold miner who brought his great wealth to San Francisco. Her father and 3 uncles were educated at Sacred Heart High School, San Francisco. Mary’s father was an accountant with Associated Oil, one of the companies that funded the building of the Golden Gate Bridge during his employment.

Mary’s father passed when she was 10 years old. Mary went to live with the Daughters of Charity at Mount St Joseph-St Elizabeth Orphanage. She attended Star of the Sea High School; upon graduation she took a job with the Examiner as a bookkeeper. During that time she joined the USO. Mary volunteered “ship side”, welcoming the soldiers back from war. She sang and taught the “jitter bug” each Saturday night at the Grant Street Democratic Club, where she would meet the love of her life, her soldier, Mario Balestreri. He said to her one evening, “Enough jitterbug, I’m going to marry you!” They married 10 months later. Together they had 3 children, Barbara, Josie and Peter. Mary raised her children by her own example. Her immeasurable self confidence, leadership skills, creativity and devotion to the Blessed Mother taught them well. Mary leaves behind a legacy of organizations to which she was so proud to belong. President of Mount St Joseph St Elizabeth, Vice President of St Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary, President of St Monica’s Confraternity, member of the Little Children’s Aid Society, Auxiliary member of St. Ignatius Prep, St Rose Academy, Little Sisters of the Poor, active member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, with lineage descent to the California Pioneers Society and the Daughters of the American Republic. Mary was a native San Franciscan and a resident over 90 years. Preserving history was a part of who she was. Activities with the Landmarks of California Club were one of her treasured pastimes.

After retiring from 20 years of service with the University of California Medical Center, Mary spent numerous hours donating time with the American Heart Association of San Francisco. Her energy level was boundless, Black jack tournaments, Bingo, and the Choir at Peninsula Del Rey filled her life with joy during the last year of her life. Mary touched the heart of many, she will be greatly missed.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband Mario Balestreri, her beloved daughter Barbara, grandsons Jason Ewing and Michael Lockwood.

She leaves behind her children, Josie Ewing and Peter Balestreri, son in laws Harry Ewing and John Albertoni, daughter in law Kathy Balestreri. Proud Nonni of Mario Lockwood, Julie Venturi (Dante), Kelly Galante (John), Tony Balestreri (Britney) and Katie Balestreri. Great grandchildren, Nathan, Patricia, Marella Lockwood, Jason & Dante Venturi, Ella & Gia Galante, Pierce Balestreri.

A special thank you to her closest friends, old and new. Those continuous words of encouragement brought much needed comfort in her final days.

Family and friends may visit Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Ave. Daly City on Thursday Feb. 21, from 11:00AM, followed by the Memorial Service at 12:00PM.