Mary Diane Means Jadiker was born April 3, 1937 in Berkeley and passed away Dec. 11, 2006 in Santa Rosa. She graduated from Immacualte Heart College, a student of noted artist Sister Corita Kent.
Mary and her husband, Bill, spent 10 years sailing their Block Island schooner around Catalina Island and Mexico. Mary spent 15 years in publishing and graphic arts. Then, she and Bill retired and moved to San Cristobal de las Casas in Southern Mexico with their youngest son, Will. After spending seven years in Mexico, the Jadikers returned in 1972 to the Binkley Ranch in Lake County, to the land homesteaded by Mary”s pioneer grandparents just after the turn of the century. Mary first came to political prominence in seeking resolution of conflicts arising from the introduction of geothermal energy development in Lake County. Her expertise in energy and environment issues won her an appointment by the Governor to the State Geothermal Task Force as appointee to the Kapiloff Commission on the Development Geothermal Energy. She was Lake County Planning Commissioner, followed by a candidacy for the eighth assembly district for the State of California. She was Director of the Konocti Girl Scouts, Campaign Coordinator for Clinton/United Democrats, Campaign Manager for Peter Windrem for Judge, Lake County Democratic Campaign Coordinator and in 1998 Campaign Manager for Pam Cochrane, Lake County Clerk-Auditor.
In the last ten years her positions for the Democratic Party included Assembly District Chair, State Party Executive Board Member, State Party Delegate and Secretary of the Democratic Central Committee. She was a Member of the California State Sheriff”s Association and Friends of Cobb.
Daughter of Margaret and Bill Binkley, sister of Daniel Binkley, she was mother to Christopher, Carol, Zachary and Will and grandmother to Garrett, Ryan, Griffin and Alyssa. Mary was the devoted and loving companion of 46 years to Bill Jadiker, also his sailing partner and best friend. She made life complete for Bill and makes life harder now that she is gone. Bill offers this last wish for Mary, “Fair winds, following sea, and may we meet again someday.”
Donations on Mary”s behalf can be made to Emily”s List and National Organization for Women.
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(Published in the Lake County Record-Bee on Tuesday, December 26, 2006.)
