Funeral services for Mary Marshall Harper, a Rolling Hills Estates resident and former teacher in Redondo Beach Unified School District who died Oct. 15, will be held Friday at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Palos Verdes Estates, according to LAFuneral.com.
The funeral is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
Born Dec. 11, 1932 in Whittier, Harper grew up in the South Bay, graduating from Redondo Union High School in 1950. After attending Colorado Women's College, UC Santa Barbara and CSU Long Beach and receiving her teaching credential.
She married David Harper, her high school sweetheart, in June 1956.
Harper was a teacher in RBUSD for 38 years.
"She was an inspirational teacher who was patient and encouraging with all of her students," according to the obituary posted on LAfuneral.com. "Mary loved her students and they loved her!"
Her life centered on her family, and she was a devout Christian.
"Mary always had a kind word for others and was friendly to everyone she met," according to the obituary. "She brought out the best in people and made people smile."
Harper is survived by her husband, David; daughters Becky Wade and Hilary Pollard; grandchildren Gillian Wade, Emily Wade, David Pollard and Ryan Pollard; as well as her sons-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Harper's name to the St. Francis Scholarship Fund, the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund, the Children's Home Society or the American Lung Association. More information is available on LAFuneral.com.
St. Francis Episcopal Church is located at 2200 Via Rosa in Palos Verdes Estates.
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