December 25th, 1923 – July 10, 2024
Mary Agnes Early (Valentine), 100, died peacefully on July 10th in her Palo Alto home. Born on December 25th, 1923, in Logan, West Virginia, our Christmas Valentine resided in Palo Alto for the last 55 years.
A gifted artist, Mary Agnes studied at Parson’s School of Design in New York City before earning a Bachelor of Arts at St. Mary of the Woods College in Terre Haute, IN (Art/English). She studied Occupational Therapy at Ohio State University, where in 1948 she met her future husband, James M. Early, who later became a pioneer in the semiconductor industry. They shared a beautiful partnership, which lasted for 55 years until his passing in 2004. A dedicated homemaker, and devout Catholic, she shared her love of art and lifelong belief in the power of faith, love, hope, and charity with her many descendants.
She is survived by her eight children, Mary Beth Early of Brooklyn, NY; Kathy Early of Palo Alto, CA; Joan Farrell, of Egg Harbor Township, NJ; Rhoda Alexander of Greencastle, IN; Maureen Matthews of Campbell, CA; Rosemary Early of Campbell, CA; James M. Early Jr. of Mountain View, CA; Margot Early of Silverton, CO; 12 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.
Viewing and visitation is scheduled for 5:30pm, with rosary at 6:30pm on Thursday, July 18th at Lima and Campagna Sunnyvale Mortuary in Sunnyvale. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, July 19th at St. Albert the Great church in Palo Alto. Interment will be at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos.
The Early Family would like to thank the parishioners, clergy, caregivers, friends, neighbors, and extended family who through their various acts of friendship, kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity together formed the very warp and weave of the fabric of Mary Agnes’s life. Please accept our heartfelt gratitude.