Mary Virginia Pierce

Mary Virginia Pierce, 83, of Los Alamos, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Mary was born to Max and Virginia Day in Mobile, Alabama, on October 6, 1941. In the late 1940s, her family moved to Los Alamos, where she grew up and graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1959.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Max and Virginia Day; her brother, Max "Boy" Day; and her beloved daughter, Judy Henry. She is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, Richard (Dick) Pierce, who was not only her lifelong partner but also her best friend. She is also survived by her daughter, Cathy Brewer (Mike); son-in-law, Stan Henry; grandchildren, Amber Chu (David), RJ Brewer, Rachel Brewer, Stephanie Myers, and Kevin Henry (Jennifer); and great-grandchildren, Thomas Chu, BriAnna Myers (Haedyn), Lane Henry, and Wyatt Henry.

Mary is also remembered by her sister, Betty Colyer, and her children: Jennifer Sutton (Stefan) and their children, Brianna, Hayden, and Madelyn; Michael Colyer, and Brian Colyer (Charlie). She will be dearly missed by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and extended family members who cherished her deeply.

Mary was the heart and soul of her family. Her warmth, generosity, and sense of joy were felt by all who knew her. She had an incredible ability to make each person feel special, always ensuring that no one left her home without a smile on their face and often with a snack in hand.

Her life was enriched by the simple pleasures—traveling with her husband in their camper, tending to her garden, and enjoying the hummingbirds darting around in her backyard. Mary had a love for the Hallmark Channel, decorating for every holiday and season, and creating homemade treats that made each occasion brighter. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she loved hosting Christmas dinner. She had a collection of Santa Clauses, and it was a game to count all the Santas. The highest ever was 372.

Beyond her love for family and home, Mary had a fulfilling career. She worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in personnel, where she formed a close friendship with her colleague Beverly. Through their participation in Mixer Club, she met Dick, and their union in 1964 marked the beginning of a 60-year marriage full of love and adventure.

When her youngest daughter was born, Mary became a stay-at-home mom. In 1976, Mary began her career at Clement Benner as their bookkeeper. She was also part of the transition to CB Fox, where she worked until her retirement in 2004. Over the years, she became the office manager, buyer, and the go-to person for many in CB Fox. Many friendships were made with those she worked with, including the local high school students she mentored.

Mary’s community involvement extended beyond her professional life. She served as a Girl Scout Leader, Lassie League Coach, and frequently opened her home for Halloween and 4th of July parties. Her door was always open to the high school kids who stopped by, where they could always count on her for a warm welcome.

She loved traveling with her husband in their camper. They’ve been all over the Southwest visiting National Parks, State Parks, and any interesting place they could find. Cathy, Mike, and Betty were fortunate enough to travel with them in their campers last summer. They traveled through Colorado, Utah, and Arizona for three weeks.

A Memorial Service in Mary’s honor will be held on Friday, September 26th, at Fuller Lodge at 10:00 a.m., followed by a gathering of friends and family in the backyard of Dick and Mary.

Mary’s legacy will live on in the many lives she touched. She will forever be remembered for her generous heart, her laughter, and her ability to find joy in every day. We will truly miss her.