- Mary Drawbond
Mary Anna Drawbond was born February 24,1925. She passed away on March 09, 2010. Mary
was preceded in death by her mother Ella May (Harshbarger) Drawbond, her father (Joseph)
Samuel Drawbond and her sisters and brothers, Hettie Melby, Ruth Elvert, Joseph Drawbond,
Amos Drawbond and Emmett Drawbond. An infant sister and brother also preceded her in
death at her father's homestead in the East Coal ridge community of northeastern Montana.
She is survived by her three nieces and nine nephews. Mary, born on her mother's homestead
near Fortuna, North Dakota, was the youngest child born to Sam and Ella.
When Mary was three years old tragedy struck the Drawbond household with the death of her
mother from surgical complications. This left her older sisters Hettie and Ruth to fulfill the
household duties. Mary assumed these important duties at age 11 when the second of her
older sisters moved from the homestead to Indiana. At age 12 Mary joined with the Mennonite
church at Coalridge, Montana. She remained true to her faith in God throughout her life. During
her life Mary was active with church attendance and membership at the 7th Street Mennonite
church in Los Angeles, The Faith Mennonite church of Downey, California and the Sunnyslope
Mennonite church of Phoenix, Arizona. Mary taught Sunday school, bible school and sang with
the ladies quartet.
three years, Hazel Gardener, as being her inspiration to become a teacher. Mary loved the Christmas season as a result of these
early years and was active in the plays and singing of the season throughout her life. Mary completed her high school years in
Westby, Montana. It was during her senior year that she decided to become a teacher.
Mary attended Hesston College and Bible School in Hesston, Kansas for one year then returned to Montana to teach for two years.
She returned to Hesston and completed her education for an associate of art degree in education in 1947. Mary taught school for 6
years in Montana during her early career.
Mary attended Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana, receiving her bachelor of science degree in education in 1956. In the fall of 1951
Mary moved to Los Angeles doing office work her first year. She returned to teaching the following year at the Maude Price
elementary school in Downey, California retiring from there in 1985.
Mary moved to Glendale, Arizona in 1986 where she made her home at the Glencroft retirement center. While living at Glencroft Mary
was active in many of the events of the retirement center. In October of 2003 Mary's health required assistance so she moved to the
Deer Valley area of north Phoenix, Arizona where Dorina and Romi Rus provided her with loving assistance.
A memorial service was held at Glencroft Chapel 8611 North 67th Avenue Glendale, Arizona on Monday March 15, 2010 at 10:00 AM.
Funeral services will be held at the Coalridge Mennonite church, Coalridge, Montana on Thursday March 18, 2010 at 2:00 PM with
Pastor Neville Peterson officiating. Mary's family and friends will serve as casketbearers with burial at the Coalridge Mennonite
cemetery.
Fulkerson Funeral Home of Plentywood has charge of local arrangements.
| 1925 - 2010 |
| . . . . in Memory of . . . . |
| . . . . in Memory of . . . . |
| . . . . in Memory of . . . . |
Remembering Mary