Obituary of Mary Ann Brumsickle

Mary Ann Brumsickle 1934-2007 We mourn the passing of Mary Ann Brumsickle, 34-year resident of Centralia, beloved wife, mother and grandmother. She was born September, 1934, in Portland, Oregon, to Neil and Marguerite Bailey of South Bend, Washington. She died at home on May 7, 2007, of cancer after a long and valiant battle. She was cared for throughout by her loving husband of 49 years, Bill, and received constant support from her large circle of friends and close-knit family. She dealt with her illness with courage, grace, wit and her usual stoic manner. Mary Ann will be deeply missed by all. The great-granddaughter of homesteaders, Mary Ann attended South Bend schools and St. Helen’s School in Portland. She transferred to Willapa Valley High School after her junior year and graduated there. She then attended Western Washington College of Education, where she received a teaching degree in three years and began teaching at age 20. She met her soon-to-be husband Bill, who was student-teaching in a building where she taught. They were married in Bellingham in 1958 and made their first home in Montesano, where sons Bill, David and Steve were born. They moved to Olympia in 1962, where son Dan was born and then in 1973 to Centralia when Bill became principal of Centralia High School. In addition to raising four sons, Mary Ann taught school at St. Michael’s in Olympia, Sunnyland School in Bellingham, and schools in McCleary and Menlo. She substituted in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Chehalis, and Centralia schools. She was active in numerous organizations, including P.E.O. (philanthropic educational organization), American Association of University Women (AAUW), Better Book Club, Providence Centralia Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, Ladies of the Round Table, CAFTA, and Centralia Community Concerts. She loved to play bridge with friends and also served as a Cub Scouts den mother and volunteered in various community activities. She also tirelessly supported her husband during his four terms as a Washington State Representative, beginning in 1989. She will be remembered as an intelligent, articulate, loving, nurturing, and inquisitive woman with a passion for learning. Something of a visionary, she was always curious about how technology might affect the future and immersed herself in various science and medical publications. She was an inspired cook, leaving hundreds of wonderful family journal notes throughout her large collection of cook books. This positive, generous and sensitive woman will also be remembered for her elegant appearance and beautiful vibrant smile; she charmed everyone she met. Mary Ann was happiest nurturing and supporting others, including caring for Bill’s father and her mother in their final years. She truly adored her husband and sons, and their families. She enjoyed her large circle of friends and shared so many special occasions with the McCartys and Thompsons that they seemed like family. Times spent with her friends in the Better Book Club and the “football group” brought her great joy and comfort. She is survived by her husband, Bill and four sons: Bill of Madison, WI, his wife Henny Regnier and their children, Aidan and Corrina; David of Silverdale, WA, his wife Irene Shemaria and their daughter, Bailey; Steve of Friday Harbor, WA, his wife Winnie and their children, Tate, Wilsey and Isaac; and Dan of Olympia, WA, his wife Catherine Conzatti and their daughter, Gracie. A celebration of her life will be held at Harrison Square Presbyterian Church in Centralia on June 16, 2007 starting at 2:00 p.m. There will be a family-only private graveside gathering at Claquato Cemetery at a later date. For those who wish to remember her, the family suggests, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to either Chapter X - P.E.O. Scholarship Fund, 417 W. Magnolia, Centralia, WA, 98531 – or – Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Pacific Northwest Chapter, P.O. Box 173, Galvin, WA, 98544-0173. The family wishes to thank Assured Home Health and Hospice of Centralia for its caring support during Mary Ann’s final days and the staff at Western Washington Oncology for their care and kindness. We are especially thankful for the support and compassion shown by her friends, who helped her through her difficult journey. We love Mary Ann and will miss her. Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the softly falling snow. I am the gentle showers of rain I am the fields of ripening grain. I am in the morning hush, I am in the graceful rush Of beautiful birds in circling flight. I am the starshine of the night. I am in the flowers that bloom, I am in a quiet room. I am in the birds that sing, I am in each lovely thing. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there--I did not die. - Anonymous