Mary Christian Obituary

Mary Gloria Christian
11/23/1964 - 02/27/2026
Mary Gloria Christian, 4th generation native of San Francisco, was the "7th jewel in the crown", and only daughter, in a large Irish Catholic family born to Robert F. and Gloria P. Christian.
Born with Down's Syndrome and partially blind, Mary was baptized at St. Mary's Hospital, and lived at home until age 7, when she moved to Sonoma Development Center (SDC) in Eldridge, where the dedicated staff provided wonderful care for the next 44 years. On many Sundays we'd pile into the family station wagon for visits. Our walks to the little farm at Eldridge would often come to an end when Mary, to her sheer delight, would engage in hair pulling or physical bantering with the nearest brother. This was Mary's way of saying "good-bye," the visit was over.
We were always taught that Mary could do no wrong since she did not know right from wrong. We were also taught that God placed her in our large family which would embrace her and see to her needs. Through our sister, the young Christian boys became young men who ensured that Mary had the best care on earth.
In 2017, with the imminent closure of SDC, Mary moved to Successful Living in Novato, where she flourished under the loving care of Annie Liu and her team. Annie is the embodiment of selfless, compassionate care; we are eternally grateful.
Mary passed away peacefully on February 27, after a brief illness, surrounded by family.
In addition to her loving parents, Mary was predeceased by brothers Bishop Robert F. Christian Jr., OP, and Joseph D. Christian II. Mary is survived by brothers James (Mary), Michael (Dr. Mary), John (Mary) and Thomas (Margaret aka "Peggy"), many nieces and nephews, and countless cousins from the Waal, Sweeney, Carlsmith and Peggs families.
Private services and interment in the family plot at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma. Memorial contributions to The Pomeroy Recreation and Rehabilitation Center, 207 Skyline Blvd, San Francisco 94132 or The Western Dominican Province, 5877 Birch Court, Oakland 94618, preferred.