Lois Mildred Mayer

Mayer, Lois Mildred
Age 93, passed away Monday, March 2, 2020. She was born in Rochester, NY on July 5, 1926, to Herbert Frederick Hartleben and Sally Hehnly Hartleben. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Doris Dittmar; Jean Ryan; Sally Phelps; Florence Caribardi (widowed), Sears, and Audrey Hartleben; brothers: Donald and Norman.

Lois is survived by her son, Richard Mayer and daughters, Nancy Mayer and Carol Mayer; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Family was everything to mom.

Mom taught us many lessons, one being how to have fun without spending money. As a family we played cards and board games, played in the sand and water of Lake Ontario, and went hiking in many local parks. Lots of picnics and parties including the families of her brothers and sisters. She was the hub that everyone came to. When any family member faced a large project it would be taken on by everyone, mom's brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and of course her children. We did renovations and additions to houses, tree cutting, landscaping, and house painting inside and out.

Borrowing money was never allowed. She'd say, "if it's worth having it's worth saving for." The lesson being, it's easier to save for something than pay for it later. To borrow an item was a no-no as well. Her feeling being if a borrowed item breaks you have to pay to replace it, so you might as well buy it to start with.

She had a mantra of other sayings that we grew up with:
 - Everything happens for a reason. (Even though you can't see it at the time)
 - It's not what you say, but how you say it.
 - It's not what you know but who you know. (This was a favorite when she was working)
 - What starts out in laughter may end up in tears.
 - No news is good news. (Especially when Rick was in Vietnam)
 - What goes around comes around.
 - If its to be, it will be.

Mom was a woman of many talents, always busy working on some type of craft. From colorizing professional photos, to china painting, sewing, and in her later years constant needlework. She never missed an opportunity to make favors for a family event (even her own funeral). Mom worked at passing on her talents to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the recipients of sewing, painting and dance lessons. She also instilled in them the value of giving from the heart by making gifts to give to their parents and grandparents.

Every generation had their own endearing name for her, "Maa" by her children (which she hated), "Grandma" by her grandchildren, "Aunt Loie" by her nieces and nephews, "Grandma Loie" by her great nieces and nephews, and "Grammy by her great-grandchildren.

For those who loved her she will always be remembered.

A Rosary will be recited Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1502 Sara Rd. SE, Rio Rancho, NM. Interment will take place at a later date.
   
In lieu of flowers donations may be given in Lois's memory to a favorite charity or to the Humane Society (she loved her rescued grand-dogs).
Daniels Family Funeral Services
4310 Sara Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-892-9920