The community is invited to attend a farewell gathering for former Canyon Lake Mayor Mary Craton on Sunday, July 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Canyon Lake County Club. Craton, a Canyon Lake resident since 1996, will be relocating to Peoria, Arizona, on July 16.
Craton served on the Canyon Lake City Council from 2002 to 2014. She was appointed mayor in 2007, 2009, and 2013. She served as the president of the Canyon Lake Women’s Golf Club and on the board of the Woman’s Club, Travel Club, Lioness Club, and Emergency Preparedness Committee. She also served on several state and national committees.
As a member of the Canyon Lake Emergency Preparedness Committee, Craton has participated in many community-wide drills to help the community prepare for a disaster. She’s attended to real injuries while working the first aid booth at many Canyon Lake Fiesta Days and community events. As a member of the Red Hat Society group, Craton served Meals on Wheels for several years to shut-ins in Canyon Lake.
Craton, a retired nurse, said she enjoyed serving on the Canyon Lake City Council because it allowed her the opportunity to help people. “That’s what nurses do,” Craton said. “I’m going to miss Canyon Lake, its wonderful people, and my many friends.”
In a previous interview, Craton was asked how she’d like to be remembered. “I want to be remembered as someone who truly loves Canyon Lake, did my very best, had no personal agendas, always acted in the interest of the city, and helped many residents with individual problems,” she said. “I want to be remembered as one of the good guys.”
