Obituary of Callista Jean Mueschen

Callista Jean Mueschen passed away at home surrounded by her family on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at the age of 82. Callista was born in Santa Cruz on January 7, 1931 to Henry and Phoebe Hall. She graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1949 and then went on to receive an Associate's Degree from the Dental Hygiene College in San Francisco. She worked as a nurse's aide at Sister's Hospital (now Dominican Hospital) for many years but never got the chance to work as a dental hygienist. In 1955 she married the love of her life, Henry, and they raise 5 wonderful children together. Callista was a talented seamstress and made clothing and matching outfits for her children, including all of her daughters' wedding dresses. She also liked to knit, learn about history, go camping and loved to travel. She had traveled all over most of the U.S. and Hawaii throughout her life. She and her husband enjoyed traveling in their RV and were members of the IOF Camping Club of whom they went on trips with often. She was also a member of the Aptos First Baptist Church, Rainbow Girls, and the Orders of the Eastern Star and White Shrine of Santa Cruz of which she was a Worthy High Priestess twice. She was also a former Member of the First Church of God of Pacific Grove. She was a very kind, loving, and giving person who was always there for her family, friends, and others in need. With the White Shrine she worked with the Salvation Army every Christmas to help those in need. She enjoyed jokes, loved to laugh, spend time with people and loved her poodle, Buddy. Callista is survived by her children, Diane (Dennis) Foster, Susan (Robert) Laws, Shirley (Bill) Hartin, Dale (Martha) Mueschen, and Gordon (Kristy) Mueschen; her grandchildren, Christine Mirelez, Matthew Foster, Rebecca Liles, Patric and Vincent Laws, Samantha Sullivan, Jennifer, Scott and Lexie Mueschen, and Jeremy Ward; and 5 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-laws, of whom were like big sisters to her, Mardell McLaughlin, Vivian Boostrom and Marilyn Herout. She was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Henry Gordon Mueschen (1931-1992). In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Callista's memory to Hospice of Santa Cruz County, 940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 or to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, Fl 33607. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 from 5-9 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Memorial Mission Chapel. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at 11 a.m. also at the Mission Chapel with burial to follow at Santa Cruz Memorial Park.