June 4th, 1926 - October 19th, 2018
Marie Peery Medford, 92, of Stockton, passed away on October 19, 2018. She was born June 4, 1926; the youngest of three children born to parents L.C. Wisdom and John Roy Peery in Weiser, Idaho. She learned to play the piano at age 6, and by age 11 played at Church and in High School had 15 piano students. She attended the University of Oregon, majored in piano and received her teaching credential. Her first teaching job (teaching piano/voice) was at Punahou Private School in Oahu, Hawaii; where she met her husband E. Leslie Medford, Jr. who was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay; and married in 1950. Marie and Les (married 64 years) had two children (Virginia Suzanne “Ginnie Sue” and Leslie David). In 1975, they adopted three Vietnamese brothers (Chinh, Khoi, Quang Vu) who lived with them. In 1961, upon Les’ retirement from the Marine Corps, the family moved from the Carmel Valley to Stockton, where Marie taught third grade at El Dorado School for 30 years. Marie was actively involved in numerous organizations in the Stockton area including Delta Kappa Gamma (served as President of Tau Chapter, Area Director, and State Music Chair). Marie attended all State Conventions and lead the Saturday night Sing-along, which was a particularjoy for her. She actively promotedTau Chapter’s community endeavor “Books for Babes” and solicited donations to support World Fellowship (which financially supports educating women in thirdworld countries). She received the Susan B. Anthony award in 2013 & Chi State Distinguished Public Service Award in 2014.
After retirement in 1991, Marie became a San Joaquin County Historical Society & Museum Docent, and was instrumental in the creation of the Pioneer School Day Program. As Docent President, she began “Docent Doings” and was an active participant in the organization (including serving as Chairperson) of the Festival of Trees, held annually the firstweekend of December. She served as Docent Program Chairperson and Museum Trustee for several years. Marie was a member of the Retired Teachers’Association and Friends of Chamber Music, served on both music & flower committees at Central United Methodist Church, and was the church organist at the First Presbyterian Church for 22 years until 2017; and played piano each week for the local Rotary Club—as recently as October 17, 2018. Les and Marie were committed in their support for museums, athletics, university endeavors, musical organizations, and numerous additional local and national charitable causes.
Marie is survived by her children Ginnie Sue and Leslie, adopted sons Chinh Vu (wife: Le), Khoi Vu, Quang Vu (wife Hai), grandchildren Lillian Claire and Sovay Medford; Junior, Jonathan, Winston, Rene Vu; and Peery cousins, nieces, and nephews (Portland, Ore).
A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, November 4, 2018 at 1:00 at Central United Methodist Church, 3700 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA.
Interment will be private at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi, California. For those who wish (in lieu of flowers) donations in honor of Marie would be gratefully accepted by Hospice of San Joaquin,
Central United Methodist Church, Friends of Chamber Music, or any worthy charitable organization of your choice.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Medford family.
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