ForeverMissed
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Mom went to be with Jesus this morning and while we grieve our loss, we celebrate her release from earth and are so thankful that she is free and with our Lord Jesus. It is heartbreaking for us not to have a memorial service in person for my mom due to Covid-19. We know there are so many of you who loved our mom so much and would want to celebrate her life. We are having a family-only graveside service on Thursday, September 3rd because of Covid concerns and restrictions.

We also wanted to share that last week, dad, Brian and I (Brynn) were together with mom, and we were able to tell mom how much we love her, how we will all take care of each other and we gave her our release to go to Jesus when she was ready. She was alert and we all believe she absolutely understood us. We are incredibly thankful that we were given this time together.

We created this memorial page to celebrate the life of our incredible mom, wife and friend, Mary Hendricks. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort as we grieve through this time. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial. We are so thankful for all of you. Please feel free to add your own photos and write notes directly to her or to our family as a whole - you can write either "tributes" or there is a "story" tab where you can write as well.

You can send cards to Don Hendricks at:
919 Bayside Drive H1
Newport Beach, CA 92660

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to one of the organizations that were close to mom's heart:

Every Generation Ministries
E4 Project
Coalition Ministries
Isaiah House

Also, I (Brynn) wrote a blog post that many of you saw on social media, but I wanted to share it here for anyone who would like to read it. I wrote it about the evening after I said good-bye to my mom last week. http://www.flatironsphotography.com/2020/08/24/standing-firm-in-jesus-in-hard-times/

December 4, 2020
December 4, 2020
I would like to send my Condolences to you and the Family. Losing someone you love is the hardest thing for anyone to endure. I lost my son in February 2020 and it was the hardest thing for us all. From what I've read she was amazing person that was loved by many, keep the memories alive. May she rest in peace.
October 20, 2020
October 20, 2020
Dear sweet mum Mary Hendricks,

Your loss is a great sorrow in my life. Since 2000 until 2018 you were a great support for my life through CMCT and Colleen Amma.

I still remember the first time we met in the lift after the welcome programme. I took you to the coffee room. You asked me "Do you know who Sundari is?" I said "I am Sundari." Then Colleen Amma formerly introduced me to you. From that time, you were my prayer support, spiritual shepherd and financial supporter. You always stood with me where I was: In happy times and in my sorrowful moments, especially when I lost my sister in 2016.

Thank you Aunty for inviting me to your house in 2008 along with Coleen Amma. We had very wonderful fellowship with you, uncle and your friends.

You took care of me and my team well. Always your eyes were on me, always mindful of me. You made me to sit next to you, admiring me, and in my ministry supporting me.

Your prayer opened the door for me to be with my husband in the UK. You and uncle mentioned once that you were my parents, let us know your wish.

Exactly you did, Aunty, your lifestyle, your simplicity, your prayer, your letters, your faithful ministry caused me to move like you. God blessed me with your love. Thank you for your love. Thank you Jesus, for you gave me a great opportunity to meet my dear aunty/mum, Mary.

Sundari
September 15, 2020
September 15, 2020
I had the joy of getting to work with Mary and share life with her on a daily basis for a season. From the moment I met her in the lobby of a Newport Beach hotel, I felt comfortable and quickly sensed a connection. When I think of Mary, a few things that immediately come to mind include her kindness, deep love of family, sense of humor, warmth, curiousity, compassion, loyalty, and her close walk with Jesus. She was very special and will be dearly missed. I'm thankful for the memories and the wonderful example she was to me. I pray God's comfort and peace as your family continues to grieve while also celebrating her life and rejoicing that she is in the presence of the Lord.
September 7, 2020
September 7, 2020
To my dear friend Mary and her family,
Mary, you were one of my closest friends for almost 50 years. We met before I had kids and we raised them together. We started a neighborhood bible study together that brought so many women and families to the Lord. You were a perfect partner to lead with and we never had an issue. We talked over so many thing as we ran together around Harbor View for 8 years. We always said "if those streets could talk!"  We helped start MOPS together. 
Then you left for Chicago and I got to come visit very soon on a cold Chicago January. You had already made good friends since you initiate and love people and pray for them.
I was so happy when you returned and we continued our great friendship close up. You were always there for me and always prayed for me-you and Don both. We watched our kids grow up and get married and shared the joy of grandkids together. We also enjoyed couple's times together and were in coupes bible studies together too. We continued to exercise together changing from running to biking!
Our verse together was Hebrews 10:24. "Let us stir one another on to love and good deeds". You did that for me and so many others. I am a better Christian, wife, mother, friend, teacher, mentor because of you! I have missed you the last 2 years when you weren't able to share yourself in the same way, but you still ministered to me and others with your sweet attitude and your ability to sing all those old hymns. Jesus still shone through you. I miss you in my life, but I have such joy too knowing your are with Jesus whom you loved so much. You make Heaven a better place and I will love spending eternity with you!

I am praying for Don and Brynne and Brian and the rest of the family as you miss Mary. Please know she was so loved by so many and goes before us now. I love the wonderful hope we all have that we will soon see her again.

With Love , Teri
September 6, 2020
September 6, 2020
How is it possible to feel such sorrow and such joy upon hearing of Mary's death?
My sorrow comes from the loss of a dear friend who took it upon herself to create her very own "Jan Foster project"---bringing me into her bible study groups, inviting me to events of Christian organizations she was part of, as well as teaching and showing me what being a deep committed Christian truly means.
My true joy comes from knowing that Mary is now complete, made new, has now seen Jesus face to face, and is loudly singing " Now all I will ever do is forever, forever worship You!!" Words can't possibly convey how much Mary will be missed.
September 5, 2020
September 5, 2020
Mary was an inspiration and a light to me when I moved to Newport Beach in 1979 - I was invited to a ladies bible study in Harbor View Homes and met Mary - she was a light and a mentor to me. She was always thinking of others and how she could pray for them . She prayed with me .
My husband Richard and I then got involved in a couples bible study in Newport Beach and we
were shown beautiful loving marriages that reflected Our Lord Jesus!
Don and Mary were one of those couples!
What a beautiful example they gave us and other couples to follow!

I lost my dear Richard after 51 years of marriage in 2015 and know that now he and Mary are rejoicing before Our Lord Jesus -at the crystal sea! 
My prayers and condolences to all of the family - may Our Lord comfort you all at this time as only HE can

May he give you peace as you adjust to life without Mary and know that she is Home!!
September 1, 2020
September 1, 2020
Dear Family , 

Judy and Bob Howard want to express our deepest sympathy to Don and everyone for your loss. Mary was in Judy's Bible study group for many years. She was a beacon of light to all that knew her. She is now in heaven with our dear Lord and free of any pain. We are Praying for all of you. 
August 30, 2020
August 30, 2020
Dear Family, I treasure the time I was able to spend with Mary. Her and Terry's Bible Study filled me spiritually. Judy and Mary let me join them on their walks around Balboa Island enjoying God's nature and good conversation. We celebrated each others Birthdays with Judy and Priscilla. Now i will feel connected to Mary through Brynn's Superb nature pictures!
August 29, 2020
August 29, 2020
Dear Mary,
Thank you for always opening your home to me when I was growing up. You and Don showed me what a stable, loving, Christian family was, and you treated me as a daughter. I will forever be grateful.
Dear Family,
I pray for the Lord to comfort you all during this very difficult time. I pray that His peace will be with you.
August 29, 2020
August 29, 2020
I have know Mary for so long that I cannot recall when we met. Throughout the years at First Fruit and Women of Vision, Mary has consistently been kind, helpful, thoughtful, knowledgeable , loyal, loving and caring about the "least of these." She was an expression of the loving Lord Jesus who she served. She touched my life with her gentle strength. She will be remembered and missed. I pray comfort for Don and the family as they celebrate and mourn her life. Love, Ann
August 29, 2020
August 29, 2020

I am so very sorry to hear about Mary's passing. She was so wonderful and the first person to pray over me while I was sitting on her couch before our trip to India to visit an orphanage and then to a leper colony. She knew the program and her prayer was so heartwarming and memorable. I really learned how that prayer brought such peace to me. Yes, these little things we do for others mean so much to us. She will be missed.
August 29, 2020
August 29, 2020
Mary, thank you for showing me and my family so much love. You were always a loving, loyal and great friend to my mom. You were like another mom to me and my siblings. We all always knew that we had you "in our corner" cheering us on, supporting us, and loving us.
Your presence in our lives, and the loved that you have shown me and my family over the years, has been something that has forever changed us for the better. Thank you Mary. We love you.
Vaya con Dios.
August 28, 2020
August 28, 2020
Dear Family,
This world has lost an incredible soul and Mary will be missed deeply by each of us who was fortunate enough to have known her. Mary was loyal, loving and had an unstoppable enthusiasm for adventure. We send you our love and want you to know that we hold you and Mary forever in our hearts.
With deepest sympathy, Linda and Steve

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Recent Tributes
December 4, 2020
December 4, 2020
I would like to send my Condolences to you and the Family. Losing someone you love is the hardest thing for anyone to endure. I lost my son in February 2020 and it was the hardest thing for us all. From what I've read she was amazing person that was loved by many, keep the memories alive. May she rest in peace.
October 20, 2020
October 20, 2020
Dear sweet mum Mary Hendricks,

Your loss is a great sorrow in my life. Since 2000 until 2018 you were a great support for my life through CMCT and Colleen Amma.

I still remember the first time we met in the lift after the welcome programme. I took you to the coffee room. You asked me "Do you know who Sundari is?" I said "I am Sundari." Then Colleen Amma formerly introduced me to you. From that time, you were my prayer support, spiritual shepherd and financial supporter. You always stood with me where I was: In happy times and in my sorrowful moments, especially when I lost my sister in 2016.

Thank you Aunty for inviting me to your house in 2008 along with Coleen Amma. We had very wonderful fellowship with you, uncle and your friends.

You took care of me and my team well. Always your eyes were on me, always mindful of me. You made me to sit next to you, admiring me, and in my ministry supporting me.

Your prayer opened the door for me to be with my husband in the UK. You and uncle mentioned once that you were my parents, let us know your wish.

Exactly you did, Aunty, your lifestyle, your simplicity, your prayer, your letters, your faithful ministry caused me to move like you. God blessed me with your love. Thank you for your love. Thank you Jesus, for you gave me a great opportunity to meet my dear aunty/mum, Mary.

Sundari
September 15, 2020
September 15, 2020
I had the joy of getting to work with Mary and share life with her on a daily basis for a season. From the moment I met her in the lobby of a Newport Beach hotel, I felt comfortable and quickly sensed a connection. When I think of Mary, a few things that immediately come to mind include her kindness, deep love of family, sense of humor, warmth, curiousity, compassion, loyalty, and her close walk with Jesus. She was very special and will be dearly missed. I'm thankful for the memories and the wonderful example she was to me. I pray God's comfort and peace as your family continues to grieve while also celebrating her life and rejoicing that she is in the presence of the Lord.
Recent stories
September 1, 2020
When I was 5 years old our family moved in to Port Ashley into a house three down from the Hendricks.  They had a son, Brian, who was my younger brother's age and a daughter, Brynn, who was right between my sister and me.  Our families became fast friends.  The kids played together, our dads ran together every morning and Mary invited my mom into her bible study and circle of friends.  Fast forward 45 years to current day and I can confidently say that outside of Jesus, Mary has had the biggest influence on our family of anyone or anything.  She introduced my mom to an authentic, loving version of Christ that none of us had ever known before.  She shepherded her through bible studies and helped her grow in her faith.  Eventually, our entire family came to know Christ and to follow him.  This faith created a legacy for our entire family and changed the course of all of our lives.  I am so sad to lose her in this world but rejoice in the fact that, thanks to Mary and her faithful witness,  we will all get to have a big reunion in heaven.  I know we are just some of the many lives that she touched.  I count it one of my life's true blessings that the Lord shared her with us.

My Precious Mentor

August 31, 2020
Precious Mary,
I'm so very grateful to you and to the Lord for giving you to me as a mentor.  We met in 1997 when I started working with MENA and I asked you to mentor me.  You selflessly poured into me during our weekly times together.  Your faith was real and you loved well.  I LOVED being in your beautiful home and laughing, riding bikes, walking and learning from you.  I wanted to be like you in so many ways.

As my mentor, you decided to join me on our short term trip to Egypt!  That was so amazing to experience that together.  I was so grateful that you were willing to deal with so much craziness and be your joyful, steady presence through all of the adventures we had there.  

Not only all of this, but I have you to thank for my husband!!!  :). During one of our hang times, you asked me what I was looking for in a husband.  I went and thought about it and wrote a long list.  You committed to praying with me over this list and several months later, I met my husband.  And HONESTLY, you would think I'd written the list AFTER meeting him, it described him so well!!  The effective prayers of a righteous woman can accomplish MUCH!!!  

You and Don have poured into Greg and me and my kids so much!  Over the years of living overseas, you have ALWAYS been some of the people we long to see most when we're stateside!!!  Each of my kids just loves you and Don and we always relish time with you all.  You have always been so supportive of us in every way and it meant so much to us.  

Mary, I miss you.  I love you.  You have been so precious to me throughout my adult life.  THANK YOU for giving so much of yourself to so many.  My life and the lives of my family members have been richly blessed by you!!!

Love, Michelle Ballou and the whole Ballou fam
August 29, 2020
When Mariners Church and South Coast Community Church came together, I met Mary. (1996)  We were both active in similar areas of ministry.  I began observing that Mary’s “Walk” matched her “talk”.  At a women’s retreat I requested that she would consider meeting with me in a mentor type relationship.  She prayed about it and came back with a “let’s do it”.

We have met weekly since, starting in 1996.  She was faithful, prayerful, funny. She pushed my boundaries, let me ask difficult questions, and she allowed me to verbally process in a safe and confidential space. We continued to meet (although not weekly near the end) until her health began deteriorating. 

Every week when she came over, I made her hot tea.  It always amused me the way she drank it.  She would dip the tea bag in it only once or twice and immediately take the tea bag out. The tea was so weak that it was like barely flavored water.   Years later, after joining the same bible study as Mary, I came to find out that she loved coffee and really didn’t like tea at all.  She never complained or asked for anything different.  

I treasure my memories and learnings from this beautiful woman.  She has left me with priceless insights that serve me to this day.  And while she is no longer with us here on earth, her legacy lives on and is being passed down to other young women who I now have the privilege of meeting with. 

I look forward to seeing Mary again in glory and perhaps sharing a cup of weak tea together. 

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