Mary Plesha Favero

1920 - 2011

Mary Plesha Favero, a life-long Ronald Resident, passed away on Friday, June 3, 2011 at Royal Vista Nursing & Rehabilitation Facility in Ellensburg. Mary was born in Roslyn on February 20, 1920 into the family of John and Mary Zauhar. Mary was very proud of the fact that her parents migrated from Delnice, Yugoslavia, which made her a first generation American.

Mary was the fourth born into a family of four children. All three of her brothers preceded her in death. John (Micika) Zauhar was born when the family lived in Gallup, New Mexico. Her other two brothers, Matt (Mary) Zauhar and Joe Zauhar were born in Bend, Oregon. Joe died as a young child in Bend. Mary was then born in Roslyn after the family moved to Washington State.

Mary attended Ronald Grade School and Easton High School. She married her first love, John Plesha, on October 26, 1935. Her husband, John, preceded her in death on March 27, 1971. They were married for 35 years. John and Mary had four children: Irene (Don) Hill, David (Deanna) Plesha, John (Judy) Plesha, and Charles (Alenka) Plesha. Mary had 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She was very close to her nieces. Most of her nieces called her "Doll". She was always very proud of everyone's accomplishments.

On October 20, 1973, Mary married the second love of her life, George Favero. Mary and George continued to live in the Plesha home in Ronald until January 2007. Together, they continued the family traditions of picnicking, mushroom and berry picking, and attending family gatherings. George dearly loved Mary's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. George preceded Mary in death on August 6, 2007 in Ellensburg, Washington. They were married for 33 years.

Mary and George moved to Dry Creek assisted living in Ellensburg in January 2007. Mary lived there until she moved to Royal Vista Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility after a fall in November 2008. Mom never forgot her "Ronald". She was determined to move back to our home one day.

Mary and her first husband were co-owners of the lower Ronald Tavern, which was known as "Johns Place" for several years. Mary had a zest for life that many aspire to but few attain. She loved to cook- not only for fun, but professionally. Many upper county residents tasted her culinary delights at restaurants such as the Auto Rest, the Bamboo Broiler, The Sunset Café, Camp Wan-a-tok, and … Mary loved to entertain guests in her home and always had food on the stove and drinks at the ready "just in case" someone stopped by. She was always the consummate hostess that always offered visitors something to eat or drink.

Mom loved to sing and play the piano. She was a truly talented alto soprano and was happy to sing for anyone, anywhere, anytime. She sang songs in Croatian, Latin, and English. She sang at home, on picnics, at church, the Croatian Picnic, and when she went to Yugoslavia in 1975, she sang songs to the Croatian people there in their language that they did not know. Mary was a long time member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Roslyn where Sunday parishioners were often treated to Mary and Beth Browitt harmonizing on the hymns. Mary also had a tradition of calling all family members on their birthdays and singing "Happy Birthday" to them. This tradition is still kept by some of the younger family members today. Her singing brought a lot of happiness to our home. Mary was very family oriented and she always wanted everyone to be together. She always talked about walking to and swimming at the Cle Elum River at First Falls (above Loftstrom's Bridge), going to Winston's Bridge, Salmon La Sac, Fish Lake, and … Mary combined her love of the outdoors and her love of cooking by bringing "just a little food"- roasters of pig in the blanket, pot roast, pastries, etc. to family gatherings. She was the glue that held the family together.

Mom always liked to dress up nicely (preferably pink, coiffed hair, and painted nails were never compromised). She always looked "visitor ready". She battled cancer the last few years of her life, but she never lost her will to live. After she could not walk any more after a fall at Dry Creek in November 2008, she said that I guess we just have to go on-And we, her family, will go on too. In her we shall live, and go on with our lives. Just as she said when other members of her family died, "I will miss him/her forever." We will miss you forever too Mom. Good bye and thanks so much for everything.

Mom strongly cherished her religious beliefs. Consistent with her devotion to the Catholic faith and in honor of her memory, the recitation of the rosary will be held on Friday, June 10th at 7:00 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church in Roslyn. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 11th at 11:00 a.m. at the same church with a reception to follow at Ronald Community Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Grotto Fund at the Immaculate Conception Church, c/o Irene Hill, P.O. Box 203, Roslyn.