Mary Arlene Engelbrecht

Mary A. Engelbrecht of Chino, California, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 12, 2020, at the Kaiser Permanente Ontario Medical Center, Ontario, California with her children present. Born in Troy, New York, she was the last surviving sibling of nine children of the late Charles J. Wright and Catherine A. VanOlpen Bulmer Wright; and she was the beloved wife of the late Cleland A. Engelbrecht of Chino, California. Mary moved to California in 1964 and met her late husband Cleland in 1973 while waitressing at the Cock-A-Doodle Restaurant in Chino. She was a resident of Chino since their marriage in 1974 and retired from the United States Postal Service in 2001, after 25+ years of service as a letter carrier and window clerk for the Chino Post Office. Known to her extended family in New York as "Aunt Snookie", Mary was the Golden State's self-appointed welcoming ambassador and tour guide host to her East Coast and Midwest family – she loved you all. Her family and friends also knew her as Proud Mary, a woman defined by her past and deep-rooted unbridled ambition to protect her love ones. She loved shopping, the movies and occasional day at the horse race track where she would bet to win on any grey horse in the race regardless of the odds – a silent homage to her mother. She relished her time with friends, whether playing bunco or getting together for a light meal to converse – she loved you too. She is survived by her children, Dawn Henderer Hooven, Cindy Engelbrecht Pardee (Greg), Ralph Henderer (Renee) and David Engelbrecht; grandchildren, Joseph Henderer, Justin Henderer, Brooke Henderer, Danny Lytle Pardee (Katie), Lauren Pardee O'Gorman (James), Amanda Pardee, Adriana Engelbrecht and Jacob Hooven; great-grandchildren, Amelia Pardee ad Logan Pardee; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews throughout the country. In light of current events and regional travel restrictions, a Celebration of Mary's life will be planned for the mid to late Spring of 2020 and will be announced via Mary's social media / facebook page. Mary's wishes were to be cremated and she will be laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery with her late husband Cleland A. Englebrecht in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215 or online at https://www.diabetes.org/donate/donate-memorial. Her family wishes to thank everyone for your outpouring of kindness during this difficult time.