Mary Alice Wollenbecker

It is with a sad heart that I announce the passing of my mother, Mary Alice (St. Clair) Wollenbecker, mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother, who passed peacefully on August 22, 2026 at 89 years old in Sacramento, California.

A third-generation Californian, Mary was born on February 24,1937 in San Francisco, California to blacksmith Percival (Pete) and nurse Clara (Allen) St. Clair, joining brother Allen and sister Carol. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mary's father was sure that San Francisco would be Japan's next target, so moved the family to a prune farm ("the ranch") on West Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg that had been in the Allen family since 1856.

Mary loved spending her days on the ranch with her sister Carol, going to Dry Creek to swim with friends from school.

Mary graduated from Healdsburg High school in 1956 and moved to the Bay Area where she worked in the plumbing business, rising to become the branch manager amidst a work force dominated by men.

She married a local man, Frank Salsedo, and had a daughter, Lynette. They lived on Fitch Mountain until the couple divorced, when Mary moved to the Bay Area and married Nate Bennett. Mary cherished spending time in her garden with the flowers she loved, caring for many feral cats, and dancing and fishing with her beloved husband, Nate Bennett, until his passing

Upon retirement Mary donated her time at the Pinol Library to fill her passion for reading books on history and mystery. She enjoyed the friendship of her new co-workers.

Mary enjoyed spending time with her sister, Carol, and husband Bob Stratton in Santa Rosa, California, finding adventure with their three boys. She was very proud of her nephews, Tim, a pharmacist and university professor; Brian, an auto mechanic and Coast Guard veteran; and Bobby, a fire captain. She remarried Fred Wollenbecker and enjoyed their home in Pinole.

She looked forward to her visits from grandson Mario Reno and was so proud of him for joining the U.S. Marine Corps.

As her health deteriorated, Mary moved in with her daughter and son-in-law, whom she called Chief, in Cameron Park, California. She remained strong-willed while battling kidney disease, but found new passion for enjoying time with a new cat and dog, who never left her side. She was pleasantly taken aback by the unexpected care given her by Ramon Salsedo when she was so weak. In the car she would confirm "locked and loaded" and off to her doctor visit and to enjoy forbidden treats like chocolate cookies, and lots of laughs.

She was preceded in death by her parents, by brother Allen St. Clair and sister Carol Stratton, and by nephew Brian Stratton. She is survived by daughter Lynette Holmes (Eric) of Cameron Park, nephews Tim Stratton (Suzanne Wasilczuk) of Duluth, Minnesota and Bob Stratton (Stacy) of Santa Rosa; niece Pia Stratton of Roseburg, Oregon; grandson Mario Reno (Charlotte) of Buckeye, Arizona; and great grandchildren Kailynn and Quinn Reno (Mario's), and Garrett and Caleb Austin (Charlotte's).

Mary will be remembered for her keen wit, loving and generous heart and for her determination to live her life with strength and love of country. She said, "If I didn't have something to complain about, then there is no reason to live," so she must have left us being happy. See you in heaven. No services held due to her request.

Published in Healdsburg Tribune · September 8, 2026