Mary Mincher
Mary Mincher

Obituary of Mary Gayle Mincher

Mary Gayle Mincher went home to be with the Lord on April 1, 2013 after complications from surgery. As she was slipping away, she called out, “Jesus, I’m coming home.” She was born on January 3, 1946 in Traverse City, Michigan to Doris and Gary Rutledge. She spent most of her childhood in Salem, MO where she graduated high school in 1964. She loved to travel and attended three colleges around the country before graduating with her B.A. in Education from Northern Colorado University (Greeley, CO) in 1968. One year later, Mary Gayle Rutledge married James Neil Mincher on August 9, 1969 in Salem, Mo. When asked how long they’d been married, they always said, “not long enough.” As an Army wife, she spent the next 20 years on bases around the country (Colorado, Alaska, Tennessee and Alabama) before settling in Washington. Mary Gayle worked as a special education and elementary school teacher. After Neil’s retirement from the Army, they worked together as Realtors. In 1993, Mary Gayle received her M.A. in Counseling from St. Martin’s University and opened Hope Counseling, a Christian-based counseling practice. For her it was a calling- not a job. She spent 19 years helping people in the community through her counseling practice and as a speaker on personalities and relationships. Mary Gayle was full of love and joy. She will be remembered for her love of family, friends and animals. Mary Gayle and Neil loved to travel- from short weekend trips to cross country excursions. She had friends all over the country and treasured connecting with each and every one of them. She loved her flowers and working in her yard. To her friends and family she was known as the “Queen of Christmas.” Mary Gayle lived a beautiful life and left her family with a legacy of precious memories. She is survived by her beloved husband, Neil Mincher; her daughters, Chandra Mincher, Kari (Ryan) Haddock and Jennifer (Q) Qiu; her brothers, Spencer (Ines) Rutledge (West Palm Beach, FL), Niles (Karen) Mincher (St. Louis, MO) and Paul Swenson (Minneapolis, MN); 6 grandchildren, Monica, Austin, Cierra, Bailey, Nevaeh and Kyniah; 1 dog and 4 cats. She was predeceased by her parents, Doris and Gary Rutledge, and her sister, Anne Rutledge. Mary Gayle was an amazing woman who brought love and joy to all around her. The world is a better place for her having been here and has been lessened by her departure. God bless her and keep her safe in Your loving arms for eternity. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Gayle’s name can be made to Animal Services (3120 Martin Way E, Olympia, WA 98506) or the ministry of your choice. Please leave memories of Mary or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.
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