Mary Alice Means Jefferson was born in St. Joseph, Mo., on April 2, 1916. She was the daughter of Foster and Faye L. Means. Her father was a victim of the epidemic that killed so many, and he died when Mary was a very young girl. Her mother worked for a small railroad company, and when the opportunity came, she accepted employment with the Union Pacific Railroad, settling on the Omaha headquarters, raising the two girls with grace and grand style.
Mary entered high school in Omaha, and with her sister attended Central High School, graduating in 1934. During World War II, she worked in the Union Pacific traffic department directing troop train movement across the U.S. With the ending of the war, Mary was sent to Sun Valley, Idaho, to establish a reservation department to answer the hundreds of requests for accommodations when the Sun Valley Resort reopened.
Mary had an exceptional ability in various duties required of a secretary. Because of this, she was called upon to fill many assignments. These included secretary of the Sun Valley Ski Club, private secretary to Bill Janss, including directing the whole stenography pool. Mary never sought the spotlight, but rather found pleasure in working to help people fill a need in her community.
Originally, she helped organize and run the present-day Gold Mine, the Ketchum Library, Hemingway School and Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood.
Mary loved all the qualities that the Wood River Valley afforded her and her family, whether tending her garden or her animals, or camping at 95 years old in their RV motor home at Little Wood River Reservoir or at the base of the Pioneer Mountains.
Mary married Ray Jefferson on May 8, 1946, resulting in a 65-year union, blessing them with two sons, Gregory and Tony.
Mary is survived by her husband, Ray, of Hailey; son, Greg, and wife, Sherri, of Hailey; grandson, Mark, and wife, Trin,a and two great-grandchildren, Jaden and Lane, of Boise; grandson, Jake of Boise; and son, Tony, and granddaughters, Mia and Alberta of Hailey. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her mother and father, and sister, Fosteen Herd.
It was Mary's request that there be no services held, and cremation will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Labre Indian School, Ashland, MT 59004.
Friends and family are welcome to leave memories and condolences or light a candle at www.woodriverchapel.com.
