Rites Planned for Educator Mary L. Wise

Memorial services will be held next month, after the fall semester begins, for veteran Golden West College teacher and counselor Mary L. Wise, the community college announced Tuesday.

Mrs. Wise, a counselor for fine and applied arts for the past 19 years at Golden West College, died Friday following a long illness with cancer. She was 57.

“It was Mrs. Wise’s wish that no services be held, but an informal gathering for friends and colleagues is planned for Friday, Aug. 21, after fall classes begin,” said a college spokeswoman.

A former teacher at Whittier College and El Monte High School, Mrs. Wise joined the faculty of Golden West in 1968. She held a master’s degree in English from Whittier College and also a master’s degree in counseling education from USC.

Golden West officials said Mrs. Wise was instrumental in developing the college’s recording arts program. Officials also said she helped develop Golden West’s new television-production program scheduled to begin this fall.

Mrs. Wise is survived by a daughter, Chris Grisey of Huntington Beach; a son, Robert Nash of Santa Ana, and four grandchildren.

The college said friends could send donations to the Mary L. Wise Memorial Fine Arts Scholarship,in care of the Golden West College Foundation, 15744 Golden West St., Huntington Beach, Calif. 92647.