Obituary of Mary Frances Underwood

Mary Frances Underwood (nee Marchesano and Riedell) passed away peacefully on December 24, 2016. She was 81 years of age. Born on January 11, 1935 in Los Angeles, she was the seventh of eight children to Dorothy (Hauck) and Thomas Marchesano. Mary grew up in the Pico Heights area of Los Angeles where she attended Bishop Conaty – Our Lady of Loretto High School. Mary was a homemaker until 1975 when she started working for Los Robles Hospital, now Los Robles Regional Medical Center. She retired in 2009 after 34 years of service. Determined to own her own home, Mary worked overtime to save money to purchase her condo. She described this as one of her proudest personal accomplishments. Her condo served as a gathering place for visiting family and for holiday celebrations. Since 1962, Mary was a resident of the Conejo Valley and, for the past 30 years, she resided in Westlake Village. Mary loved being at home with her dog, spending time with her family, and never tired of looking at the views of the mountains surrounding the Conejo Valley. Throughout her life, Mary spoke of her deep Catholic faith that was passed down to her by her mother. She prayed daily for all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mary described her faith as the glue that held her together through many difficult times and it provided her peace in her final days. Mary is survived by her sister Louise Scandlyn as well as her eight children: Richard Riedell, Stephen Riedell, Catherine Pisarev, Michael Riedell, Kimberly Jerrems, Daniel Riedell, Christie Riedell, and Robert Riedell. In addition, she is survived by her seventeen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Mary also leaves behind her beloved dog Emma. A mass and celebration of Mary’s life will be held at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Westlake Village on January 14, 2017 at 12:00. Interment will follow at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park, also in Westlake Village. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.