Mary Jane Hess

Mary Jane Hess

July 30, 1928 – December 22, 2021

Mary Jane Hess, 93, of Denver, Colorado, died peacefully December 22, 2021. Born in Victoria, British Columbia in 1928, Mary was the only child of Pat Paterson and Sophie McKinnon Paterson. Mary grew up in Victoria, BC, graduating high school at 16; she had a bachelor’s degree in Dietetics from the University of British Columbia and a master’s degree in nutrition from the University of Washington where she met her future husband, Gerald Wayne Hess. They married in 1954 in Seattle, Washington and then lived in Moscow and Boise, Idaho before moving to Bellevue, Washington and then settling in Denver, Colorado. Mary is survived by her four children, Lauren, Wayne, Jennifer and Edward, their spouses Norman, Deborah and Todd, and her grandchildren Milo, Gillan, Jonathan, and Courtney.

Prior to having children, Mary headed the nutrition program of the Idaho Agricultural Extension Office and traveled the state in that capacity while Jerry was in law school. Mary was an active member of the community and volunteered extensively. She served as first vice president (1978-81) and president (1981-83) of the Denver League of Women Voters and first vice president of programs (1983-85) and paid lobbyist (1986-1995) for LWV of Colorado. She was an avid supporter of women’s rights and civil rights for all and contributed to numerous charitable community and environmental causes. She also supported a multitude of progressive political causes and was dedicated to participatory democracy – a trait she passed to her children.

Mary was a voracious traveler who visited every continent (most multiple times) including Antarctica. She also traveled extensively in the United States and was especially fond of US national parks. She felt travel was essential to a life well lived and compiled a truly impressive resume. After ‘retiring’ from travel at the age of 85, she made trips to Israel, Jordan, France, and finally Japan. On her last two trips she was accompanied by Jenny and Todd who planned her final sojourn.

Mary was blessed in her friendships. In the later years of her life she would typically celebrate her birthday 4 or 5 times each year with friends from different groups—including League friends, neighbors, bridge players, hikers, and members of her exercise class. She loved reading, the arts, and the outdoors.

Mary was the rock of the extended Hess family and we will miss her immensely. She taught us so much. She had a true and strong spirit that will be missed by friends and family for her energy, intelligence, curiosity, kindness, and unfaltering optimistic viewpoint. Those who knew her, knew a genuinely wonderful person.  

Please join us for a celebration of Mary’s life on February 20 th at 3:00 PM Mountain Standard Time. The event will be hosted by Zoom. Please RSVP with your email address (or phone number) to Jenny Hess at jenny.c.hess@outlook.com to receive a link for the Zoom service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the League of Women Voters of Colorado, the American Friends Service Committee, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, or the ACLU of Colorado.

Written condolences for the family can be sent to her daughter,Jennifer Hess, 1910 Luzerne Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910.