Mary Jeanette “Bud” Rogers

Mary Jeanette “Bud” Rogers passed away June 21, 2013 in Lake City, Fla.

Born March 19, 1926 in Wauchula, Fla., to Wilbur and Gethel Bardin, Mary grew up enjoying the outdoors, often paddling her boat along the St. Johns River in north and central Florida. Mary was raised with a keen appreciation of nature, and her fondest memories as a child surrounded her many encounters with waterfowl and other wildlife with her father at her side.

After graduation from Landon High School in Jacksonville, Fla., in 1943, she met her husband, Robert “Bob” Rogers, at a USO dance while he was stationed at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station. They married in 1946 and together raised three children — Bob Jr., Bill and Nancy.

In 1970, Bob and Mary moved from Jacksonville, Fla., to Eagle River. Mary went to work at Elmendorf AFB as a keypunch operator. Eventually, she and her husband relocated to Anchorage and finally to Wasilla, where they operated Rogers Realty. Mary was well known in the real estate community in the Mat-Su Valley, often attending Mat-Su Board of Realtors functions and managing the office while maintaining the books and records for the company.

Mary became an avid birdwatcher and could often be seen paddling across Sherwood Lake behind their home with her binoculars around her neck. In later years, she and Bob traveled Alaska, Canada and the Lower 48 by RV. They journeyed from coast to coast, enjoying the sights America has to offer and visiting family and friends throughout the country.

Mary was a generous and caring mother and grandmother, always willing to help family and friends. Her heart was always open to those in need.

After the death of her husband, Mary relocated to Lake City, Fla., in 2005. She spent hours watching the numerous animals on the property, was a fan of NASCAR and relished discussing the news and political landscape of the day.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, and his survived by her son, Bob Jr. and daughter, Nancy, both of Lake City, Fla., her son, Bill of Wasilla; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.