Mary Camezon

October 12, 1940 - September 30, 2022

Mary Elizabeth Camezon (nee Aitchison),

Mary Camezon, educator, arts leader and volunteer, beloved Mother and friend, passed away September 30th in San Ramon. Mary was born in 1940 in British Columbia, Canada, and spent her early years in the Yukon and BC. Her mother Gladys was a teacher before marriage, and homeschooled Mary in the remote towns where Mary’s father Tom (employed by Pan Am) worked. Mary started school when the family moved to Seattle, and discovered a joy in learning that led her to become a teacher.

She attended Western Washington University, Washington State University, and the University of Washington. She began her teaching career in Washington

State, and then after moving to California in the late 60’s, taught English at San Lorenzo High School, then Arroyo High School in San Lorenzo until 1998, including being named Teacher of the Year. Inspiring students to learn was her gift and passion.

Mary didn’t retire from teaching, she transitioned into working with schools, teachers, principals and administrators to improve student learning, first with the non-profit WestEd and later Napa-Solano-Contra Costa Counties Offices of Education. She worked with teachers and districts across California, and built many treasured friendships. She was known for being student-centered in her approach and courageous enough to challenge school districts and boards of education to make the necessary changes that large organizations often find difficult. She was compelling in her urgency and never let anyone lose sight of the necessity for reform. She was noted for her mentorship of teachers and administrators, a part of the job she loved. Mary always had the right words that inspired people to see the needs of students without shaming or blaming. She always supported people engaged in worthwhile work, and was gifted in helping people in challenging circumstances to focus on the things they had power to change.

Outside the education field, many people knew Mary because of her volunteer work with arts organizations such as the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, where she served for many years as a board member, Secretary, and Treasurer, and also at Role Players Ensemble, where she served as President. Her years of hard work were recognized in 2016 when she received the Danville Arts Commission Volunteer of the Year Award. She was also active in her education sororities Alpha Delta Kappa and Delta Kappa Gamma, and was a volunteer editor for Indie publisher Chatwin Books.

She and her husband Ray enjoyed travel and were noted hosts at their homes in Danville. Mary was preceded in death by her parents Tom and Gladys, husband Ray, stepchildren Kelly and Mike, and her beloved (and sometime rival) cat, Esprit.

She is survived by her sister Alison Mercer, daughter Karrie Camezon, son Phil Bevis, grandsons Mike and Eric Barker, nephews David and Robert Sears, and their children Layla, Lacey, Eliana, Tyler, Vincent, Anna Marie, and Leo.

Mary was a passionate reader, subscriber to The San Francisco Chronicle (without which no day could start), member of several book clubs, a fan of Rakestraw Books in Danville and her son Phil’s bookshop—Arundel Books in Seattle.

Mary was one of the most uplifting people that many of her friends, coworkers, and family knew. In any setting, including dealing with her own health challenges, she stayed grounded in reality but always helped people see the positives. As she often said when confronting one of her many challenges— ”My spirits are good.”

Mary loved flowers. Look at one and think of her.

Donations in Mary’s name can be made to the Eugene O’Neill Foundation (eugeneoneill.org). You should also subscribe to the Chronicle!