Marylou Kersey

KERSEY - Marylou Kersey, age 79, a resident of Las Cruces, NM, and most recently of Rio Rancho, NM, passed away on Wed. May 5, 2010, after a courageous battle with lung and brain cancer. Marylou was born on Aug. 23, 1930, to the late J. Adye and Lou Emma (Merritt) Raggio. Marylou was a devoted mother, sister, aunt and friend. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph P. Kersey. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Bear Wood and son-in-law, Derrick Wood; her brother, David L. Raggio; 3 nieces and 2 nephews and her faithful dog, Muffin. Marylou grew up in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and attended Northwestern State University of Louisiana, graduating with a teaching degree. She taught school in the northeastern part of Louisiana for one year and then moved to Springfield, Oregon, where she taught 3rd grade at Thurston Elementary School. Later she moved to Southern California and then to the central coastal area of California. In 1960 she began teaching for the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. She was a wonderful teacher and loved helping her students become excellent readers. Marylou retired from teaching in 1990 and moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Throughout her life, Marylou, enjoyed cultural events including visiting art galleries, attending plays and concerts. She also enjoyed traveling and collecting lovely pieces of art and dolls. Marylou loved living on the Monterey Peninsula as well as living in New Mexico. One of her favorite activities was walking, especially with her dogs. Donations in Marylou’s memory may be sent to St. Joseph's Indian School in South Dakota www.stjo.orgor to your favorite charity. Marylou’s care has been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 2400 Southern Blvd SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124 (505) 891-9192