Mary Idelia Porter Ober Nichols

Mary Idelia Porter (Ober Nichols) was born to Roy and Elizabeth Porter on June 12, 1919, an early summer day in Salt Lake CIty, Utah, at the end of the first world war. Both her grandmothers, Martha Cannon, a physician, and Mary Porter, a midwife, were in attendance; what was a cold gray day became sunny with Mary's arrival. It was a motif of her life, bringing sunshine wherever she was.

Six weeks later, her robust father suddenly died at the age of thirty-nine. Her devastated mother found herself with infant Mary, her toddler sister Martha, and a 100-acre dry ranch to run. It was a difficult time and everyone's survival was threatened. The family came together and met the challenge with courage, strength, and love.

The Oasis Ranch, Mary's home for the first 6 years of her life, was the place she often went to in memory to find comfort and joy. The family was drawn to California; her mother sold the ranch and they made the move to Los Angeles. Martha stayed in Salt Lake with their grandparents, Roy and Mary Porter, and visited from time to time. Mary grew strong in spirit and body in the company of her Aunt Gwendolyn, Uncle Jim, Grandma Cannon, a variety of cousins, and her mother, the writer. Always carrying the sunshine, she brightened the dark days of the depression, when Gwendolyn and Grandma Cannon died, and when the trials of life were overwhelming.

Just before graduating Franklin High School in Los Angeles, Mary met Harry M. Ober. He had come to repair a window at her mother's house and a romance began that would last for 40 years. On July 12, 1941 they were married in Las Vegas, Nevada. They returned from their honeymoon early to surprise Mary's mother and her new husband, George "Mac" McCrimmon.

Harry and Mary worked well together, weaving a strong marriage and home. They longed for children and were heartbroken when a son, James, did not survive childbirth. After eleven years of marriage, they were delighted to welcome daughter Diane and two years later daughter Sharman.

Life was full with home, work, holidays, vacations, and the day to day joys and challenges of a growing family. Mary worked from home selling magazines for Curtis Publishing Company, while Harry worked as a commercial decorator. She enjoyed gardening and summer trips, spending time with her sister Martha and her family, Harry's brother David and his family, and her mother Elizabeth in Seal Beach. She delighted in her family, and her cheerful spirit was a blessing to the lives of those around her.

When her mother became ill, Mary cared for her in her home; and when her husband Harry became ill, she cared for him as well. Life was challenging and many days were dark, yet she met them with strength, joy, and love. When those dear ones left her side, she faced those days with courage and faith.

Mary moved to Seal Beach, the home where she had visited her dear mother for 25 years. In Seal Beach her beloved Harry had loved to fish on the pier; the ocean breeze cooled Mary as she worked in the garden. It was a new chapter in her life.

Daughters Diane and Sharman were grown and starting families and careers, and Mary remained an active part of their lives. She also took time to travel the world, visiting many European countries, the Orient, Australia, Central America, Alaska, and the Holy Land.

She was surprised by a new romance when Verne Nichols invited her on a date to a concert at the Hollywood Bowl. After a whirlwind courtship they were married, Mary was 75, Verne was 76. The newlyweds continued to live in Seal Beach. They traveled, were active in their church and community, and spent many happy hours with family. After 15 happy years, Verne passed away and once again Mary's optimistic spirit carried her and her loved ones through the shadows.

At the age of 90, Mary moved to Harpswell Maine to live with her daughter Diane and granddaughter Kelly. It was a different way of life, and she adjusted and delighted in the four seasons, a country life, and frequent visits from Sharman and her family, Steven, Andrew, Ben and Dan, and granddaughters Corrie and Katie and their families. Great-Granchildren always made their way to her side where they played checkers or enjoyed a story.

In Harpswell she loved the garden, enjoyed the chickens, cats and dogs, and the Atlantic Ocean out the window. She treasured every day, surprised and delighted at her health and vigor, though her memory faded a bit over time.

All of her 94 years were filled with magical days which will be treasured always by those who shared them. This past summer brought extended visits from children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed frolicking at county fairs, apple picking, public gardens, and various farm chores reminiscent of her early childhood on the Oasis Ranch.


Mary was born into a world of horse drawn buggies, gramophones, coal oil lamps, tin tubs, and root cellars. She saw the arrival of the auto, the airplane, space travel, and a man on the moon; the arrival of electricity, radio, television, computers, and the internet; the telephone and party lines, long distance calls, and cellular phones. She marveled at these inventions, and celebrated the telephone most of all.

Mary's light shone brightly among us for 94 1/2 years, positive and joyful, courageous and strong, loving beyond measure. She continues to light the way, her indomitable spirit lives in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Daughter Sharman, her husband Steven, and their sons Andrew, Ben, and Dan Ober-Reynolds; Daughter Diane Meadorober;
Granddaughter Kelly and her husband James Prentice;
Granddaughter Corrie, her husband Doug, and their children, Ruth, Emma, and Jacob vanKampen; Granddaughter Katie, her husband Mark, and their children, Chloe and Mark III Allen.