Mary Lynette Parsons of Anaheim, California died on Tuesday surrounded by her loving husband and adoring children. She was 67.
She and her husband, Mark, raced numerous horses at Los Alamitos Race Course including Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Derby winner Kobe, named after the Los Angeles Lakers legend. (Photo of Mark & Mary Parsons)
Mary was born March 3, 1952. She and Mark were two people destined for each other, and their love and dedication to one another was apparent for everyone who knew them. Mary lived her life fully and passionately. Her vitality, coupled with her joyous enthusiasm for everything she did, made her someone we were all drawn to and loved.
Mark and Mary had owned horses many years ago. The couple took a break from the horses as their children arrived and they spent time raising their family. Daughter Jennifer showed horses as a kid. She and her siblings, Mark and Allissa, are now grown and have given their parents many grandchildren. The Parsons returned to horse ownership by claiming Indigodash for $6,250 in 2003. They would later purchase the mare Rubiate for $15,000 from the Schvaneveldt dispersal at the advice of trainer Paul Jones. The stakes winning mare would produce Kobe, a son of Mr Eye Opener. Once Kobe was born, Mark and Mary would drive 50 miles from their home in Orange County to Double Bar S in Murrieta every weekend to see their beautiful foal.
“Once this little colt popped out my wife fell in love with him,” Mark Parsons said. “Rubiate had had three other babies before Kobe, but we could tell that this one was special.”
Kobe would go on to win four of nine stars and earn $144,882. He also finished second to New Look in the El Primero Del Ano Derby. The Parsons have also campaigned stakes runners Apollos Favorite and Willie Getto Know Me and and later their outstanding filly Choosy, who ran fifth in the 2006 Governor’s Cup Futurity and PCQHRA Breeders Futurity. Most recently, the couple raced 2019 La Primera Del Ano Derby finalist No Telling.
Mary didn't want a formal service, as with all things she did, she loved her family and friends deeply. Her wish was that when this day came, we would not be sad, but be reminded of happier memories as we celebrate her life.
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