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Mary Anderson
1909 - 2017
Mary Anderson
1909 - 2017
Obituary
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BORN
1909
DIED
2017
Mary Anderson Obituary
Anderson and her husband, Lloyd Anderson, founded Recreational Equipment Inc. in Seattle in 1938. Her husband had purchased an imported ice ax after becoming disappointed with the quality of a cheaper but inferior domestic ax. The experience led to the creation of a cooperative that enabled fellow outdoor enthusiasts to buy top-quality climbing gear at a reasonable cost.
Since then, REI has become a consumer-oriented chain of stores that sell clothing and family camping equipment, although REI still sells gear for climbers and backpackers.
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Mary Gaiser was born Dec. 7, 1909, in Washington's Yakima Valley. She moved to Seattle after studying education, teaching in Seattle's public schools until the mid-1930s. After marrying in 1932, Mary and Lloyd Anderson joined the Mountaineers, a nonprofit organization that teaches people skills "to explore the outdoors safely and responsibly," notes the history section of the Mountaineers website.
Eventually, Mary Anderson retired from teaching and worked for the cooperative full-time. She retired from REI in 1968.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, who was 98 when he died in 2000.
Thomas Vogl, the CEO of the Mountaineers organization who worked at REI from 2006 to 2012, offered a tribute to Mary Anderson's legacy on the Mountaineers website.
"Even at nearly 100 years old, she was a remarkably strong and vibrant person, sharp-witted and full of life," he wrote. "Mary will be missed by The Mountaineers community yet the impact of her tireless commitment to connecting people with the outdoors is still felt today."
42 Entries
Hyde
December 31, 2017
Both of the Andersons were truly blessed to live the length of time that they both did. It's a blessing from God the scriptures teach that. Psalms 90:10 states that the average lifespan of a person would be seventy or eighty if you are especially strong. The Anderson's and especially Mrs Anderson were especially strong. There age is a indication that we were truly created to live forever. God has promised this. Until that time I offer the family my sincere sympathy for their loss.,
Ray Castor
May 20, 2017
My father T. Davis Castor and his best friend, best man at his wedding and climbing buddy, Lloyd Anderson with a group of climbing buddies from the UW and Mountaineers started a cooperative called REI so they could import the latest climbing equipment from Europe. Lloyd's wife Mary Anderson was right there with the "boys" as one of the catalysts to encourage the co-op. Lloyd was #1 with Mary #2. My dad did not have a $1.00 with him that first night so ended up #19 much to his dismay. Mary was the glue that held REI together in those early years. She was the "business" person and did a large part of the sewing as REI started producing some of their own products. The "boys" focused on climbing and Mary made the business successful. My early memories of Mary are of a strong, no nonsense woman with warm, engaging personality. She and Lloyd were involved with my family through the years, never missing a family event, like our children's weddings and later on many baby showers for the grandchildren, the REI blankets always a favorite gift. Mary was an amazing woman who will be missed by all of us, she was REI.
April 27, 2017
My condolences to the family may you endure this difficult time phillipians 4:6,7
NC
JT
April 18, 2017
Dear family please accept my condolence and take courage, throw all your anxiety on the God of peace, he is near to all those calling on him Ps. 145:18
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Linda
April 15, 2017
My condolences to the family. May you persevere in prayer to the God of all comfort. He promises to fortify you, strengthen you and help you endure during your grieving process. (Romans 12:12)
michelle plakas-kaiser
April 15, 2017
RIP
Makayla
April 12, 2017
I am so sorry for your lost. I hope to offer you words of comfort at 1 Thessalonians 5:17 which says to "Pray constantly." God wants to hear from you and wants you to pour your heart out to Him in Prayer.
April 12, 2017
Sending my sincere sympathy, my hearts goes out to you at this time of great sadness. Please know that God care about you, how you feel and invites you to let him help you. Jeremiah 29:12
M C
April 12, 2017
I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family for their loss. I hope you find comfort and help in God during this time of mourning.
DA
April 11, 2017
My deepest sympathy to the Anderson family. Please know that God is aware of what you're going through and He can strengthen you during this difficult time. May you take comfort in His promise to provide a wonderful future for those in His memory. Hosea 13:14
Ann M Stokman
April 10, 2017
Sorry to hear of the loss
Mary Green
April 9, 2017
My deepest Condolences to the family of Mary Anderson may you find comfort in knowing that others share in your sorrow with you. Take Comfort in knowing that God keeps those who dies in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. Psalm 116:15
April 8, 2017
May you rest in peace !
Galvanized Endeavors, LLC
April 8, 2017
God Bless you, Mary. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and many loved ones.
Wendy Nicholas
April 8, 2017
Sending sincere condolences...my mother, Rowena Stubbs Gaiser was married to Mary's brother, Ward and she was very fond of both Mary and Lloyd.
Glen Hausfeld
April 8, 2017
Peace.
Carlotta
April 7, 2017
May the God of all peace bring comfort to the Anderson family and friends at this difficult time.
April 7, 2017
My sincere condolences to the family who have lost their loved one to death. God will comfort and sustain you during this difficult time because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6,7)
April 6, 2017
Sorry for the death of your dear love one,i know hard that can be to loss love one in death so please find comfort in the words Matthew 5:5 Dumas,Ark
Gresilda Varona
April 6, 2017
May God Jehov
April 6, 2017
Mary Anderson was truly blessed to have lived such a long and full life! So many cannot say the same. May she forever be in our hearts and in God's book of life.
April 6, 2017
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
April 6, 2017
Please accept my condolences on the loss of Mrs. Anderson. My prayers are with the family.
April 5, 2017
Thoughts and prayers with the Anderson family at this time. May all have comfort from the God of all comfort, during this difficult time.
RW
April 5, 2017
May the many wonderful memories you shared help to ease you hearts and minds during this time of grieving. My condolences to the family.
April 5, 2017
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Marilyn Mann
April 5, 2017
My condolences goes out to the family. I know you will cherish the many wonderful years you were able to spend with your loved one. May the God of all comfort bring comfort to you.
Jenkins Family
April 5, 2017
A full life of love and adventure, truly a remarkable person who enjoyed life the way our creator intended us to. We Pray your, family and friends, sorrows be comforted by the God of Tender Mercies who is there to sustain you in your time of need.
Scott Chamberland
April 5, 2017
Rest in Peace
Lily Wu
April 5, 2017
What a wonderful long life Mary had in living life to the fullest at age 107. My son worked for REI when he was a teenager and enjoyed working there. He met many celebrities also which shows the quality and craftsmanship of the sporting goods merchandise. May all family and friends be comforted in knowing that Mary will return to her youthful vigor has promised ed Job 33:25.
April 5, 2017
I am so sorry to learn of Mary's death. However, I am happy to know that she lived to be 107 years of age. During these years I am sure she had such a legacy for others to follow.
May the God of tender mercies comfort the family at this time.
April 5, 2017
Sorry for your loss.
April 5, 2017
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Jane Dowling
April 5, 2017
God bless you and your loved ones, Mrs. Anderson ~ Rest in peace.
April 5, 2017
Sorry for your loss. What an amazing and vibrant woman. May you cherish your memories and find peace and hope in the difficult days ahead. Romans 15:13.
Adrian Barnette
April 5, 2017
We'll miss you !
C Holden
April 5, 2017
May the"peace of God that surpasses all understanding comfort and strength you during this difficult time ".Psalm 90:10 tell us :The span of ours is 70 years .or 80 if one is especially strong ". May your hearts be filled with loving memories of"happy"times together,as you celebrate a life well-lived
Valenda Newell
April 5, 2017
My deepest condolences to the family and friends, to a woman who lived a long and eventful life. Most folks need a push or a tragedy in order to make a difference in this world, to others like MARY it came naturally her whole life was teaching and helping people discover the outdoors by giving them valuable information (safety & equipment). A very successful entrepreneur she was a blessing to millions.....WHAT A WOMAN!!....PRAYERS and BLESSINGS
April 5, 2017
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Marbelis Leyva
April 5, 2017
Mis condolencia a la familia andarson sabemos que están sufriendo pero la Biblia es un libro que nos da paz y esperanza en revelación 21 : 4 nos dise dios que quitará todas lágrimas de los ojos y la muerte no será mas ni habrá más llanto ni clamor serán cosas del pasado .
SueAnn
April 5, 2017
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
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