Arizona Swimming Giant, Mary Willard, Dies at 90 -- May 24, 2002

MESA, Arizona, May 24. MARY Willard, a remarkable woman who headed the Mesa Aquatic Club from its founding until 1965, and was a leading figure in Arizona Swimming, passed away on Wednesday, May 22, in southern California.

Her daughter, Penny Caldwell, said the family had had a 90th birthday party for Mary last summer on August 8 and that, at the time, she was still driving, walking and talking like we all remembered!. She suffered a stroke a few months after that and gradually worsened until apparently suffering another stroke about 5 days ago which led to the end.

The funeral service is tomorrow, May 25, 2002, at 3:00 p.m. in Costa Mesa, Calif., at the Rose Hill Mortuary, at 1625 Gisler. Daughters Patsy and Peggy are at Penny's home(1614 Warwick, Newport Beach and phone at (949) 548-1070) for those wishing to convey condolences.

--Duncan Scott