Mary L. Hale

1941 - 2017

Mary Louise (Paetow) Hale died from pneumonia on November 1, 2017, at the age of 76. She passed peacefully at Providence Hospital in Everett, WA, with her family at her side. Mary was born on June 2, 1941, in Astoria, Oregon. The daughter of Louise and Bill Paetow, Mary spent most of her growing-up years in Vancouver, WA. She graduated from Hudson's Bay High School, Vancouver, in 1959; she earned her AA from Clark College in 1961 before completing a BA and teaching certification at the University of Washington. She married Donald Jay Hale on September 17, 1961, in Vancouver and in 1967 they moved to Everett. Mary taught in the Bellevue School District, the Everett School District, and then at Edmonds Community College (EdCC) for 25 years. After retiring from the EdCC faculty in January 2002, she served as the college's Interim VP for Instruction for three years. Mary loved her work and her many good friends at EdCC. Mary strongly believed in serving her community. Over more than 40 years in Snohomish County, she was a tireless volunteer: president of the Snohomish County League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood of Snohomish County board, Luther Child Center/LifeNet Health boards, City of Everett Planning Commission, City of Everett Growth Management Committee, Snohomish County Planning Commission, City of Everett Human Needs Committee, City of Everett Civil Service Commission, Greater Everett Community Foundation, Schack Art Center capital campaign committee, Edmonds Community College Foundation board, and many more. She was passionate about politics (a "political junkie") and chaired/coordinated, as well as served on, a number of local and national political campaigns. Mary was also active in her teachers' union (American Federation of Teachers-Washington), Snohomish County Labor Council, and most recently as president for AFT-Washington's Retiree Chapter. Mary was an enthusiastic gardener, a non-stop reader and book collector, an organizer of frequent family get-togethers, and an enthusiastic and loving grandmother to Margaret and Violet (ages 12 and 9). Her daughters will remember most her energy, her commitment to community and charity, and her love of books and learning. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Rachel Hale; sister, Kaylene (Paetow) Powell; brother, Chris Paetow; niece, Barbara Nehler; and most recently by her brother-in-law, Terry Powell, who passed on Monday, October 30. She is survived by beloved spouse, Don Hale; daughter, Mary Elizabeth Hale; daughter, Sarah Hale Palaia; sons-in-law, Umesh Madan and Tom Palaia; granddaughters, Margaret and Violet Palaia; nieces and nephews, Steve Hale, Dale Nehler, Kiki Hale Horne, Kristin Tennant, and Dan Nehler. A celebration-of-life service will be held for Mary at the Everett Golf & Country Club on Saturday, November 25, 2017 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., with a brief eulogy at 3:00 p.m. There will be food, drink, and happy memories. All are welcome.