Mary Lee Marks

1938 - 2024

Our mom is at peace now. Her name is Mary Lee Marks and I know many of you reading this in the Everett Herald might have known her. If you had a fearless, strong friend who was always there to watch your dog, cook a warm meal, or sit at a picnic table, you knew her. Between 1965 and 2005 at Everett Providence Hospital, if you were in the Maternity Ward, needed care in the Emergency Room, or required stern but loving care in Behavioral Health you knew her. She was an incredible nurse. If you lived in Lake Stevens, Granite Falls, or the Warm Beach Retirement Community, you knew her. Growing up on a farm in Upstate New York, Watkins Glen, she learned to love all animals and her innate gift of nurturing began. A proud graduate of Keuka College, she and her best friend, Joan, bravely set off to Honolulu, Hawaii, to practice nursing and live in paradise. And soon, she met Peter. Her husband and love of her life. Stuff got complicated, but they were determined to be together, eloped in Las Vegas and built their life their own way. Returning to Hawaii they soon had their first born, Andy. Pete, being a Merchant Marine, needed to relocate, and they settled in the PNW with the births of their next son, Tim, and their daughter, Lynne. Despite Peter being gone for weeks and sometimes months at a time, she knew she wanted their children to have the consistency of living in one place, in one home, and she chose Lake Stevens. She was a full time working mom, a PTA mom, an everything mom. And as time marched on, she became a grandma with a magic cookie jar that always remained full. Makenna, Lily, Maia, Roslyn, Colin, and Rory will forever have incredible river romping memories because of her beautiful home on the South Fork of the Stilly. She loved watching her grandkids compete in sports or perform in recitals, walking her dogs, petting her cats, spending time with good friends, sipping lemonade, listening to KIRO radio, never missing a Seahawks or Mariners game, and always having her daily special coffee drink. Thank you to the Skagit Valley Hospital staff who cared for her in those last days. She knew how good you were. Thank you to Coastal Vie Espresso coffee stand in Stanwood who honored her with such a kind sign. She loved you. Thank you to her Warm Beach friends. Your strength and constant friendship meant everything. But, most of all, thank you, Mom. You read the obituaries every day. I hope this did you justice. You will be missed and loved forever.