Mary Lou York went home to heaven on February 9, 2026. She died peacefully in her home at the age of 102 from natural causes. Her presence will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Mary Lou was born in Steilacoom, Washington on September 16, 1923 to Frank and Vera Lang. She was the eldest of three siblings, followed by a sister and a brother. At age 12 they moved to Olympia, Washington, where her father worked for the state highway department and her mother managed the home.
Mary Lou graduated with a degree in Speech from Washington State University. She was the editor of the Chinook Yearbook her junior year and was also an active member in the Pi Phi sorority. After graduation she met her husband, Donald F. Brayton through her cousin, Kenneth Emerick, when he was stationed at Fort Lewis. They married in 1944. She once told her daughter it was a match made in heaven.
After Don returned from serving in WW II, they moved to Escalon, California where they started their family, which included Scott, Susie and Nancy. She was a homemaker for many years. Mary Lou was involved in the Dent PTA, AAUW, The Family Service Agency and other community projects. She helped start The Stepping Stone Preschool that encouraged parent participation. Every summer she taught swimming lessons with the Engels at the local high school pool.
When Susie left home to attend college, Mary Lou returned to college to earn her teaching credential. She taught kindergarten at Dent Union Elementary School for 22 years. Later in her career she team taught with her daughter Nancy. Mary Lou received the Outstanding Teacher Award for the school district for the 1986-1987 school year.
In 1982 her husband Don died. Mary Lou continued teaching, remaining in her home at 1550 Brayton Avenue. In the summer months she traveled to various destinations and enjoyed her family. She continued spending time with friends and family at her beloved cabin in Pinecrest.
In 1989 she married an old time family friend, Gordon York. She soon retired from teaching. They traveled, played tennis and enjoyed their retirement. Gordon died in 2005. They were married for 16 years.
The foundation of Mary Lou’s life was her faith. She was a committed believer in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. A major element of her faith was seen in her reliance on the power of prayer. Along with Rosanda Amerine, Sharon Hanlon and Sally Palmer, she met weekly to pray for their children and any other concerns that came their way. Their children have truly reaped the benefits of those friendships and the prayer shared by their faithful mothers.
Mary Lou is survived by her children, Scott, Susie (Troy) and Nancy (Steve), four grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, her sister Winifred Anderson and her brother Frank Lang.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to her wonderful caregivers and Community Hospice for their compassionate care and comfort they provided Mary Lou and her family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Community Hospice or Escalon Ambulance.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Feb. 18, 2026
