Mary Lechner Ajzenman

Mary Christine Lechner Ajzenman lost her valiant 11-year fight with breast cancer on Nov. 13th, 2015. Her family mourns her loss, and misses her terribly.

Chris was born 4-1-1951, to William Norman (Bud) and Patricia Jean Flynn Lechner of Washington Iowa. From early in her life, she pursued her love of art, music and spirit, teaching herself to play guitar, endearing herself to countless campers as Art Director at Lake Darling Campfire Camp, and sitting in contemplation on her desire to become a nun. She eventually found her calling in helping others heal, graduating cum laude from SUNY Brockport with a BA in Nursing and Social Work and a MA in Ministry from Seattle University. She devoted herself to raising her beautiful daughter, Heather Kathleen. As a nurse, Mary Chris excelled both in direct patient care and administration.

Mary Chris married Paul Ajzenman in 1991. They made their first home in Seattle, and later in Snohomish County, where Chris developed and ran ?Rainy Mountain Gardens,? a private assisted living facility. In 2003 they moved to New Orleans, and in the fall of 2004, Mary Chris was diagnosed with breast cancer. A year later, Hurricane Katrina took their home. With true courage and the attitude that this is ?just a bend in the river,? they headed to Houston for continuing cancer treatments and ended up in Dallas shortly thereafter, where they shared a home with Heather and granddaughter Kincaid. Chris received IV chemo treatments for 9 ½ of the last 11 years, through moves and disasters, facing each new challenge with grace and grit.

Mary Chris is survived by husband Paul, daughter Heather Lechner, granddaughter Kincaid Kenerly, and step-son David Ajzenman. She is also survived by her brother John (Debbie) Lechner, and sisters Patricia (Terry) Watson, Clare (Treg) Isaacson, and Sara (Jack) Witt, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A private memorial was held in Seattle, in early December.