WIDEN, Mary

Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home, Prescott, Arizona Mary Hutchinson Widen May 27, 1926 ~ December 20, 2013 Mary Hutchinson Widen ended her days peacefully at the age of 87 on December 20, 2013. She was born May 27th, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois. Her family moved to Santa Cruz County in 1940 and established The Little Outfit Ranch in the San Rafael Valley, 70 miles southeast of Tucson. The Little Outfit Ranch was a school for boys, first through eighth grade, in the heyday of Arizona Ranch Schools. She graduated from Tucson High School in 1944 and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Arizona State in June of 1969. She and her husband, Bob Widen, owned Basecamp, a backpacking and outdoor equipment / clothing store located at 142 N. Cortez Street from 1975 until 1999 (where the Raven Café is now). Mary was also very active in the Prescott tennis community. In addition to her husband, Bob, she is survived by a large number of friends, four children by a previous marriage, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held graveside in the Hutchinson Family Plot, Black Oak Cemetery, 14 miles S.E. of Sonoita, Arizona. Arrangements are pending. ~~~~~~~~ The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Sunday, January 05, 2014 Mary Hutchinson Widen died peacefully at the age of 87 on Dec. 20, 2013. Mary was born in Chicago, Ill., to Katharine (Kit) and Buel Hutchinson on May 27, 1926. She was the oldest of three children. At the age of 14, her family moved to southern Arizona, where Kit and Buel founded a boys' school and summer camp named The Little Outfit. Mary enjoyed ranch life and horseback riding. She attended Tucson High School and was a popular participant in many aspects of campus life, and was voted Rodeo Queen. In 1945, she married William Gibson Mann (Bill). They had four children, Katharine, Susan, Gib and Amy. As a young mother, she was active in the community, volunteering in numerous political campaigns, the Junior League of Phoenix and founding the Junior Tennis League of Phoenix. After raising her four children, Mary went back to school and received her bachelor's degree in education from Arizona State University in 1969. After graduation, she taught kindergarten at Rural Elementary School in Tempe. In 1975, Mary married Robert A. Widen of Prescott, Ariz. Mary relocated to Prescott, involving herself in the community. Bob and Mary owned an outdoor retail store called Basecamp for 24 years. With her infectious personality, she was a natural on the sales floor. She created and maintained many close friendships in Prescott, as she had done throughout her life. Mary is survived by her husband Robert Widen; her sister Ann Gordon; four children; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many great friends. She will be greatly missed. A celebration for Mary will be 4 p.m. Jan. 10, 2014, at 1215 East Tanglewood in Prescott. Burial will be noon Jan. 12, 2014, at Black Oak Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Family Hospice Care, 100 E. Sheldon St., Prescott, AZ 86301 or Black Oak Cemetery, c/o Jerry Hopper, Treasurer, P.O. Box 4691, Huachuca City, AZ 85616. Please visit www.ruffnerwakelin.com to view and sign Mary's guestbook. Information provided by survivors.