Mary Eileen Sowers

Mary died peacefully in her sleep at her residence in La Mirada, California, while being able to remain active and independent.

Mary was Irish from both her father’s (John Edward Harrahill) and mother’s (Mary Ellen Maloney) sides, with roots going back to 1840 when the O’Harrahill clan moved from Templemore, Ireland and migrated to the United States. She was born in the small Irish community of O’Conner Nebraska and grew up on the family farm with her three sisters (Margaret Jean, Luetta Ann, Doris Kay) and three brothers (John Robert, Patrick Edward, and Michael Joseph). Her favorite memories growing up include eating homemade ice cream and her mother’s cinnamon rolls; sitting on the porch at night with her father drinking coffee together; and sledding down the hill on her farm during the winter - though the 3 miles walk to school was not so enjoyable!

A pivotal moment in Mary’s life is when she left the farm at 17. She graduated high school and didn’t know what to do. She was too young for most jobs but knew the farm life was not for her. She embarked on her journey to the big city of Omaha, Nebraska. She was terrified, but blessed to have the help of her grandmother who she said was influential in her life. What is one life lesson Mary would relay from this time? “Have a lot of faith in God and do your best”. She was so excited to learn about the world and all the people in it, and this excitement would carry with her throughout the rest of her life. She said, “I did it - I started my own future! Met so many great people - saw so much”.

Mary and her first husband, William Floyd Tenopir, were married in Nebraska in 1955. Their son, Timothy John, was born in 1957, and their daughter, Jeannie, was born in 1960. Shortly after Jeannie was born, they moved to the Whittier area of California, where Mary remained for the rest of her life.

Mary entered the medical profession as a Medical Technologist at the Presbyterian Community Hospital in Whittier and worked there for 36 years - 1961 to 1997. During her career and while raising her children, she earned her Bachelor’s degree from Whittier College in 1972 and her Master’s from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She loved her career and was fortunate to stay in touch with her PIH retiree group even decades after her retirement, having lunch with friends just shortly before her passing.

Mary was preceded in death by her first husband, William Tenopir, to whom she was married until 1970. In 1973, Mary found new joy and companionship when she married William Sowers, with whom she shared many happy years. They traveled to Idaho, Hawaii, Palm Springs, Solvang, and many other places. She enjoyed traveling and seeing so much of the world.

Mary was always active both physically and mentally, raising two children and being an important part of the lives of her four grandchildren and being engaged in the community. This resulted in a long and fruitful life. She enjoyed charity and philanthropic work, such as volunteering for the Assistance League of Whittier, where she would help deliver food and items and food to the needy and citizens of Whittier who had limited mobility, and participated in puppet shows for the children. She joined an exercise class and made a good group of friends there, still joining them for lunch even after she left the class. Although Mary’s mobility, cognitive and memory functions began to degrade in her later years from dementia, she remained active and independent until her death.

Mary enjoyed traveling abroad, especially to her Irish roots. She also loved visiting Nebraska to see her Harrahill and her Tenopir family members. Losing her parents, grandparents, siblings, and other family members over the years was really hard on her. But she kept on going, always keeping them close at heart. . She loved to read, enjoyed theater and musicals, and participated in many family activities, such as the Downey Wine Club, attending her Son-In-Law’s Masonic Lodge family functions, going to hockey games and Whittier College functions with her granddaughters, and attending various Department of Defense events with her son when he periodically traveled to Washington DC for his job. She loved to visit her brother-in-law, George Tenopir, and his family over the years too, who also lived in Whittier.

Mary was immensely proud of her children and her family. She always looked forward to going to midnight Mass on Christmas and hosting Christmas Eve at her house. Like many mothers, the birth of her children and her grandchildren were such monumental moments in her life. She was so grateful for the role and life God had given her.

Mary was a kind and thoughtful neighbor. No matter where she lived, she loved getting to know her neighbors. In her younger years, she enjoyed being host and opening up her garage or patio for gatherings. Even as she got older and no longer hosted, you couldn’t stop Mary from trying to help you load the dishwasher or pass out appetizers. If you were lucky enough to share a fence with Mary, she’d pop up often just to say hello.

She loved to go walking. For many years, you could find her walking around her neighborhood at 5am sharp with a bright reflective vest on. On her walks, she loved running into her neighbors, meeting new friends, and simply enjoy seeing the flowers and trees.

She loved her “oldies” music that she remembers growing up, such as Harry Belafonte, Nat King Cole, and Bing Crosby. She enjoyed contemporary music too, like Taylor Swift.

Mary was a healthy eater, so it’s no surprise that her favorite food was a good filet of salmon. She also loved her ice cream and a good ‘night cap’ of Irish Cream. In her later years, she loved chicken tenders and honey mustard. Even if you had to quickly whip up honey and mustard together in a pinch, she would eat it.

Mary loved spending time with her family and friends, being outside, seeing new places, and meeting new people. She was a generous soul who had a habit of writing too many thank you cards. She is missed by so many people but is resting eternally in peace now.

Mary is survived by:

One brother, Patrick Edward Harrahill of Omaha, Nebraska

Her son, Tim Tenopir, of Oxnard, CA and daughter, Jeannie Wood of Downey, CA.

Son-In-Law Bill Wood of Downey, CA and her four grandchildren, William Harold Wood III, Allison Genelle Brouillete, and Daneeka Suzanne Wood of Downey, CA and Anna-Marie Fahmy of Brea, CA.

A mass followed by celebration of life gathering will take place on September 28, 2024. The mass begins at 10:45 am and will be held at the Beatitudes of Our Lord Catholic Church; 13013 Santa Gertrudes Avenue; La Mirada, CA; 90638; (562) 943-1521. Immediately following mass will be a celebration of life gathering at her residence’s clubhouse, 12203 Santa Gertrudes Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90638.

If you would like to donate flowers, use the “Send a Gift” tab at the bottom of this page, directing them to be sent to the Beatitudes of Our Lord Catholic Church. If you would like to give a monetary donation to one of Mary’s favorite charities, send them in honor of Mary Sowers to the Assistance League of Whittier; 6339 South Greenleaf Avenue; Whittier, CA; 90601; (562) 693-6533

For further information about the mass or celebration of life service, contact Tim Tenopir, [email protected], (805) 760-2771; Anna-Marie Fahmy, (562) 746-5789, or Daneeka Wood, (562) 292-9215.