In Memoriam : Mary Margaret Andrade

Mary Margaret Andrade Mary Margaret Andrade - age: 86
(September 08, 1938 to March 18, 2025 )
Resident of Visalia, California

Visitation Information:
Viewing will take place on Thursday, May 1, 2025 from 2-6 p.m. with Rosary beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Evans Miller Guinn Memorial Chapel in Exeter. Mass and Celebration of Life will be Friday, May 2, at 10 am at St. Anthony’s Retreat in Three Rivers.

Obituary:
Our beloved Mary Margaret Andrade, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2025, with her family at her side. Mary was born on September 8th, 1938 in Visalia. Her parents were Byron and Laura Belle Miksch. She had one sister, Janet Gilman, and one brother, Byron Jr. The Miksh family lived in Ivanhoe, Springville, Camp Nelson, Johnstondale, and Big Creek before settling into Three Rivers. Mary could and did make friends wherever they lived. She attended Three Rivers Elementary, Woodlake High School, College of the Sequoias, and Fresno State. She met Manuel Andrade, the love of her life, at a square dance in 1960 at the Ash Mountain Recreation Hall. He called her his “true mountain lady”. They were married on June 17, 1961. Mary and Manuel had two children, Christine Andrade Cary and Tim Andrade. Mary worked for Sequoia National Park for 48 years. Her smile was the first that many first-time employees saw as they entered the park and got their keys and badges. She retired in 2012 as a property procurement manager. Mary was involved with Youth for Understanding for 14 years, and she and Manuel were a host family to many foreign exchange students from around the world. For 60+ years, Mary and Manuel were active members of the Three Rivers Lions Club, and Mary served as Secretary for the club for many years. She volunteered for the Lions 4A2 District as well as being the Three Rivers 4-H Leader for 14 years. For many years, Mary worked as a volunteer in the gift shop at St. Anthony’s Retreat. She and Manuel were active members of the St. Clair Catholic Church until she passed away. Mary is survived by her husband of 63 years, Manuel, son Tim (Sherri), son David Townsend (Gina), grandchildren Laurabelle Rice (Sean), Emily and Zach Andrade, and great-grandchildren Kort and Porter Rice. She was preceded in death by her parents, Byron and Laura Belle Miksch, her siblings, Janet Gilman and Byron Miksch, Jr., and her daughter, Christine Andrade Cary. Mary’s family, friends, and community will deeply miss her and will forever remember her smile and the love she gave so freely.