Mary Alice Lorey
Dec. 2, 1934-May 13, 2022
Palo Alto, California

We honor and celebrate the life of our mother, Mary Alice Lorey. Her warm smile and always-curious mind enriched the many lives she touched. From her days as a primary school teacher in Pacifica to life as the mother of three, Mary loved being with children and sharing their interests and discoveries—exploring tidepools, leading Great Books discussions, chaperoning field trips and helping with art projects. A Music@Menlo enthusiast since its inception, Mary particularly enjoyed the young musicians and the staff, and she was beloved in return. One of her greatest joys was keeping up with her grandchildren and their various artistic, academic and adventurous pursuits.

Nature was another source of renewal. Mary was a longtime hiker with the Sierra Club and Walkie Talkies. She loved visits to the ocean and birdwatching pretty much anywhere. A torrential rainfall during our childhood meant sleeping bags on the back porch and a bowl of popcorn.

When a friend was in need, Mary showed up—always making time to sit and listen, usually with a card, small gift, or special book in hand. She sang with the Peninsula Women’s Chorus and Community Women’s Choir and treasured the shared music, deep friendships, camaraderie and bursts of silliness.

Mary was born in Leonia, New Jersey. After a family move to Chicago, she finished high school at The Lab School and stayed on to earn both her undergraduate and master’s degrees at the University of Chicago. During graduate school, she met a young medical student, Emmett (Jim) Lorey, MD (d. 1998), and they married in 1954. New to California, the two of them explored the Sierra Nevada, taking numerous camping and backpacking trips, and later learned to ski together. Mom and dad shared a love of reading and quiet nights at home. Mom traveled to Ashland for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for some 40 years, meeting up with beloved family and friends. She enjoyed travel and, in later life, created a welcoming home filled with beautiful colors, art, music, memories and an unforgettable Christmas tree covered with hundreds of hand-picked animal ornaments. Mary is survived by her three children and their families: David, Laura, Lee Alex and Robin; Tom, Beth and Maya; Jan and Don. We miss our mother, and we carry with us the memories of her warmth and love.