Meet the Mayos: Creating a healthier community

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Story by Kara Navolio, Resident since 1991

Alice and Bob Mayo have spent over 50 years in the Northgate community and have dedicated their lives to improving the health and well-being of others.

The octogenarians met at San Francisco County Hospital in 1956 in the pediatric ward. “He was a junior medical student, and I was a senior nursing student,” recalls Alice. “We met in 1956 and married in 1957.”

The Mayo family in Tahoe

Bob, a Northern California native, received his Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley in 1955 and graduated from UCSF Medical School in 1958. After spending some time in Forte Benning, Georgia with the Army, he was sent to Panama for three years. When he returned, he completed his Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN) Residency at the University of Mississippi.

Alice, who was born in Brooklyn, NY but moved to California as a 10-year-old, graduated from San Francisco’s St. Joseph’s College of Nursing in 1957. Her area of focus was pediatrics. She worked at various hospitals throughout their early marriage as Bob’s time in the Army and his residency took them to Panama and Mississippi.

They arrived in Walnut Creek in 1965 and bought a home on Pine Creek Rd. Bob worked as an OB/GYN physician and served as Chairman of OB/GYN at both the Concord and Walnut Creek sites of John Muir Medical Center. Alice ran the office and served on the medical auxiliary. She spent many years volunteering for various organizations, including the Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek. She also spent many years giving her time to the “Pink Ball,” which raised money for the Mt. Diablo Foundation (supporting Mt. Diablo Hospital before it became part of John Muir Hospital). Together Alice and Bob raised three daughters and one son; all four attended Northgate High School. “Northgate HS contributed to building an excellent foundation for all of our children. They all continued on to higher education and pursing meaningful careers that have allowed them to lead the quality of life that they desired and dreamed to have,” says Bob.

Health and well-being was such a big part of the Mayo family way that all four of their children followed their parents into the healthcare field. Diana, the eldest, now lives in Washington but spent much of her career as a nurse in intensive cardio care at John Muir Hospital. Kathryn is the Director of Healthcare Industries Transformations for Cisco. Robert is a Physical Therapist living in Texas, and Allyson, who was featured in the June issue of Northgate Living, is a Doctor of Behavioral Health, helping families improve the emotional wellbeing of their children.

Alice and Bob moved from Pine Creek Rd. to the Rancho Pairiso neighborhood 21 years ago to reduce the size of their property and be closer to neighbors. Bob is an avid Cal Bears fan, attending football and basketball games with the family. While he was a Cal Bear, he swam for the team and still swims five days per week. He is part of United States Masters Swim Association and was named the Pacific Master Swimmer of the year in 2018. Alice enjoys taking classes through Walnut Creek Recreation, especially ones that involve being on stage. But what Alice loves most is gathering people at her home for dinner. “Cooking is my passion,” says Alice. “My Italian roots keep me connected to my love of cooking. I think it is just in my genes to cook as if I was cooking for 100 people at a time. My recipes will be passed down to my grandchildren, and it brings me incredible joy to look around and see everyone enjoying a meal together.”

Bob is awarded Pacific Swimmer of the Year

The Mayos have 10 grandchildren, ranging in age from 31 to 15. They enjoy spending time with all of them. “The Fourth of July is the biggest gathering for our whole family at Lake Tahoe. We go crazy celebrating our wonderful country,” says Alice. They feel fortunate to own a lake front home at Tavern Shores where their children and now their grandchildren spend many wonderful summer days. Winter time has found Bob teaching many of them to snow ski as well.

Bob continues to meet with other retired physicians for Continued Medical Education at John Muir Medical Center. They enjoy their neighborhood, especially all the young people who live nearby. “Although Bob and I are up there in age, living in a mostly young neighborhood, we find the neighborhood lovely and quiet. It is a joy to hear the sound of teenagers splashing in the pool next door. The sound of teenagers having fun is important. It has been important for us to surround ourselves with young people rather than only those in our same age group. We recently hosted an event prior to the Northgate Junior Prom for 30 high school students. It was a joy to meet these extremely polite teenagers,” says Alice.

Alice on stage with friend Louise during classes through Walnut Creek Rec

The health and well-being of our community is top of mind in everything the Mayos do, and Northgate has benefited from their many contributions for 56 years.

Photo by Julie Cheshire Photography