Mary Sears

Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Hotchkiss Sears, was born August 12 th , 1933 in Florence, Colorado, and
passed peacefully on December 22 nd , 2019. She is preceded in death by her loving parents,
Fannie S., and Emory A. Hotchkiss, and by her five older siblings; Mildred Farmer (Richard),
Dorothy Opfer (Harvey), Jean Graham (William), and Robert Hotchkiss (Marilyn). Mary was a
gourmet cook, accomplished baker, and loved to cook for her family. She was also a
wonderful seamstress and gardener, happily passing some of these talents on to her sons,
grandchildren, and nieces. Mary’s fruit trees produced many bushels of apples, peaches,
cherries, and pears through the years; which she was quick to share with her friends and
relatives. The challenges of raising a pack of rowdy boys, was one she accepted with gusto.
She had to hold many jobs, involving many sacrifices to do so, often times as a single Mom.
She moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in the late 70’s, where she managed an apartment
complex, and later started her own office management business. It was during that time
when she met Dr. William F. Sears, head psychiatrist of the New Mexico State Hospital,
whom she married in 1984. They soon moved to Montezuma, NM, where she and Bill built
their dream home. One of her hobbies was hunting bargains on fine clothing. She would
often buy quality near-new clothing items at thrift stores, only to gift those items away to
friends and relatives. Another of her hobbies was birdwatching and feeding. She had studied
many books about birds, and could identify bird species, nearly as well as the most
accomplished birder. She and Bill fed the wild birds around their home constantly. In the
summer and fall, the air around their front porch feeders was always thick with
hummingbirds. She and Bill lived happily in their Montezuma home for 27 years, until he
passed in 2011. In 2014, she moved back to Colorado, resided with, and was cared for by her
eldest son Robert, and daughter-in-law, Susan, at their home in Pueblo West. The most
difficult thing for her during the past five years was getting used to the idea that she no
longer had to care for herself and others. She had dedicated her entire life to others, which
proved to be nearly impossible for her to accept.
She is survived by her four sons; Robert C. Richards Jr. (Susan), Richard R. Timney, Michael
J. Timney, and Christopher K. Timney, sister in Law Diana King, stepdaughters Pamela
Ridgeway, and Margaret Peake, twelve grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, numerous
nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. She will be sorely missed by those who
knew her, enjoyed her smile, quick wit, loving and giving nature. She will always be
remembered as the “life of the party!”
Memorial services will be held at Harwood Funeral Home, located at 516 N. 10 th St., Canon
City, CO, at 2pm, January 4 th , 2020. Graveside interment, Union Highland Cemetery, Florence
CO, following the services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Research
foundations. Online Obituary, and condolences: www.harwoodfunerals.com

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