Mary Pence

1931 - 2023

Mary Pence
August 25, 1931 - May 16, 2023
Bothell, Washington - Mary Lee (Mefford) Pence's Obituary
In loving memory of Mary Lee Pence (Mefford) born August 25, 1931, we announce her passing on May 16, 2023. Mary Lee led a full life filled with friends, family, organizations and hobbies.
Mary Lee was born and raised in Robinson, Illinois. She graduated from Robinson High School with Summa Cum Laude honors. She attended the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois where she was an active member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority and graduated with a bachelor's degree in home economics. Following university she went to United Airline's Stewardess school. While working as a stewardess on the San Francisco-Seattle route, she met her husband-to-be, Mark Pence. Married in 1955; they started their family in Moses Lake and then moved to Pasco where they grew their family to five children. Mary Lee made many friends throughout the community through her engagement with neighbors, the Presbyterian church, Pasco High Booster Club, United Way board, and Art Council. Through her 50 years as a member of P.E.O. Chapter EL she made many dear friends. She was an avid bridge card player, golfed, played tennis and loved to entertain.
In her 80s Mary Lee moved to the Seattle area to be closer to several of her children. She lived in a retirement home most of her time in the area. During that time period, she made more friends at the home and learned to play poker at the Bothell Senior Center.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Sarah and Joseph Mefford; her husband, Mark Pence; her sister, Sarah Strathman; her daughter Mary Christine Pence. Surviving Mary Lee are: John Strathman her brother-in-law and his kids Stan (and Jeanne) Strathman and Jane (and Patrick) Rockwell; her daughter, Louise Pence Funk and Richard Funk and their three children: Jason (wife Michelle), Geoffrey (wife Hannah) and Garrett; her son, Dan Pence and Katie Campbell Pence and their three children Max (fiancé Jenn Zhang), Molly Pence Tedstrom (husband Connor Tedstrom) and Jack Pence; Nancy Lee Pence and her dog Ruth; Rebecca Pence Jensen and John Jensen and their two kids Hannah and Christopher and their dog Dakota.
Any donations made in her honor, please consider these three: P.E.O the EL Chapter.; The Bothell Northshore Senior Center and/or the Booth Gardener Parkinson's Care Center.