Mary Alva Wilson Fahlen
It is with great sadness that the family of Mary Alva Fahlen announces her passing on Monday, March 19, 2018 at the age of 83. Mary was born February 18, 1935 to John Alvin Wilson and Mary Merea Wilson in Alhambra, California. She has been a long time resident of Susanville moving here September 1963 with her husband and four children. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Brad of fifty six years, and her daughter Carol Lynn Pettit, her brother Robert John Wilson. She leaves two daughters, Merea Jean Rippetoe, Linda Lou Christman and one son Roger Lee Fahlen. She has seven grandchildren, DeAnna Pritchard, Phillip Dennis, Jr., Danielle Laney, Jeremy Rippetoe, Johnna Rippetoe, Jennifer Kostick and Caitlin Peterson, and seven great grandchildren, a brother George Wilson and his wife Jenny; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
After her children were in school full time, she returned to school. She graduated from Lassen College in 1972 receiving an Associate Arts Degree in business. She attended extended day classes from the California State University Chico, majoring in Public Administration.
She was employed by the City of Susanville from January 1975 to February 1998, serving as City Clerk from April 1977 to February 1998. She has maintained her certificate as a Certified Municipal Clerk; a member of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks; and a Member of the City Clerks Association of California. She was elected to the Susanville Consolidated Sanitary District in 1991 and served on that Board until she was elected to the Susanville City Council in June 1998. She served two four-year terms on the City Council (1998-2006) She served as Mayor from March 2000 to July 2002 during the City’s Centennial birthday. She represented the City as a member of the Sacramento Valley Division of the League of California Cities, serving as president 2003-2004; representing 58 cities in 18 counties. In January 2012, she was elected to the Lassen Senior Services Board, serving as secretary to that Board for two years. She served as an alternate member of the Susanville Solid Waste Board. She was a long time member of the Soroptimist International of Susanville serving as Secretary of that organization for three and a half years. She was also a long time member of the Monticola Club of Susanville serving on the telephone committee for a number of years.
She was a Bluebird/Campfire Leader for five years.
She loved crocheting. When her daughters were young, she took pride in sewing their dresses; She enjoyed doing crafts. She had a collection of novelty teapots, which she enjoyed collecting.
She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her family. Memorial Services will be held April 14, 2018, at Walton’s Colonial Mortuary in Susanville at 11:00 am with a reception to follow at the Monticola Club.
She had requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to Soroptimist International PO Box 492, Susanville, Ca 96130 or The Monticola Club, PO Box 392, Susanville, CA 96130 or a charity of your choice.
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