A Deeper Dive Into the Life & Career of Mary Louise Bunker

Mary Louise Bunker was born on a 15-acre orange grove in northern San Diego County. In 1931, her father, James I. Condie, accepted a job at the Alhambra Police Department, and the family moved to Alhambra. It was a different world—the house had electricity, an inside bathroom, and a telephone.

Bunker’s family moved frequently within Alhambra. In the 6th grade, she attended Garfield School until a massive earthquake destroyed the building. She graduated from Central School, which was located where the high school auditorium is now.

She married Lt. Earl Robert Bunker in 1944 during World War II, and they lived on the East Coast. After the war, they came back to Alhambra, where Mr. Bunker worked for JPL and Mrs. Bunker raised their three children.

She later returned to school at Cal State LA and got her master's degree. For twenty-five years, she was the head dietician at a major Pasadena Hospital, St. Luke Medical Center.

In 1982, the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce President, Merrill Frances, asked her if she would run for city council. Even though it was a busy year, with a daughter being married, she agreed. Mrs. Bunker was the third woman in the history of Alhambra to be elected mayor. She served three terms on the city council and three terms as mayor.

During her tenure, Bunker changed the zoning to increase the sales tax income, which skyrocketed. She arranged for one of the first Costco stores, brought in the local Home Depot, and completed the downtown mall. A section of Main Street west of Atlantic was designated as Auto Row, and within the first two years, people could buy practically any kind of car in Alhambra. A building was moved from Garfield onto Alhambra Road and became the Alhambra Historic Museum. Almansor Park was developed. The restaurant and gazebo on the lake were built and provided a space for the YMCA at the park.

She represented the city in many other ways. She had the pleasure of having lunch with a leader from Brussels and being in a meeting where the Pope gave some words of wisdom. She was with the delegation that visited Alhambra's sister city in Granada, Spain. She helped establish a sister city in Taiwan, visited government officials, and attended the inauguration of the Taiwanese president in Taipei. She also participated in the sister city arrangements with Japan. She represented Alhambra in meetings in Indonesia and Hong Kong.

Mrs. Bunker served on the board of a school for children with special needs with campuses in South Pasadena and Pasadena. She also served on the board of the YMCA, the Alhambra Day Nursery, and Progressive Savings and Loan.

At Mrs. Bunker's 100th birthday celebration, she enjoyed the congratulations of many friends and associates and the attendance of her children, 14 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.