Mary Louise Everett

Mary Louise EVERETT Mary Louise Everett passed away Sunday, March 27th, 2011, at Riverbend Hospital in Eugene, Oregon of age-related complications. Mary Lou was born on July 8, 1926 in Marengo, Iowa, to John and Hazel Rusch. She graduated from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio with a degree in the social sciences. After living for several years on Mercer Island, she moved to Bellevue. She worked for many years at the University of Washington in Seattle as principal administrator for the department of Romance Languages, for the Dean of of the School of Medicine, and as the Bursar of the School of Law. During these years she was an active member of the Seattle Art Museum, serving on the Asian Arts Council, the Decorative Arts Council, and as a docent. In 1978, she married Frank E. Everett II of Bellevue. They both retired, built a home on Hunts Point, in Bellevue, and traveled widely. She organized several "art discovery" trips to Europe for the Seattle Arts Museum. After Frank's death in 2004, Mary Lou moved to assisted living at Farmington Square in Eugene, Oregon, to be near her brother, Charles Rusch. Mary Lou was an accomplished pianist, art collector, gourmet cook, and gracious host. When her two nieces, Laren and Leslie, moved to Seattle, she generously took them under her wing until they were settled. Known for her sharp wit, wide smile, great sense of style, gentle good humor, and worldly wisdom, she will be much missed by family and friends. Mary Lou is survived by her brother, John Rusch, Jr. of New Orleans, LA, her sister, Rachel Schneider of Canton, OH, her brother Charles W. Rusch and his wife Juvata of Eugene, OR, her stepson, Frank E. Everett III of Bellevue, WA, her stepdaughter Kathryn Bowers of Fort Worth, TX, her god-daughters, Mary Wood Olmstead, of Eugene, OR and Rebecca Wood Hardesty of Idaho, and thirteen nieces and nephews. A sister, Jean Ziegler, preceded her in death. Remembrances may be sent to the Seattle Art Museum.