Mary A. Barger

Mary Annyce Barger
September 9, 1930- August 26, 2015

Mary was born in Cairo, Illinois to John "Ike" and Elizabeth Davis. She was the youngest of ten children. Her unique middle name was suggested by one of her brothers.

Mary attended Missouri Baptist School of Nursing, graduating as an RN in 1952. She worked as an OB nurse in Seattle during the 1950s for Glen Rice MD and Charles "Chuck" Day MD one of the UW Crew members in the book The Boys in the Boat , who went on to win an Olympic gold medal.

Mary attended church at Tower Grove Baptist in St. Louis where she met her future husband Jack Paul Barger. They were married in November 1952. She and Jack lived at Fort Riley in Kansas while Jack served in the army during the Korean War. She worked as a civilian nurse at the army base hospital.

Their first child Steve was born in September 1954. They moved West and bought their first home in Bellevue, Washington. Numerous moves followed as they made their home in various places in California, Washington and Arizona.

Mary delighted in decorating each and every home she lived in. She also had the gift of sharing her home and making people feel welcome. She was active in church and women's bible studies throughout the years. She loved her many grandchildren and the time she was able to spend with them- especially watching them grow into young adults with all their unique and various talents.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Jack Barger. She is survived by her son Steve Barger of North Platte, Nebraska- his wife Laura and their four children- David, Tallie, Riley and Hope. Her daughter Cathy Hoesterey of Bellevue-husband Roger and their children, Kyle & wife Tiffany, Daniel & fiancée Alice, and Nicole Hoesterey. Son Jim Barger from Bothell- wife Karen and their two children Jimmy and Elena. She is also survived by her sister Lavern Davis of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

During the past five years, Mary resided in Bothell at North Creek Senior Living, Vineyard Park and most recently Blueberry Gardens adult family home. During her time on hospice she was able to have many memorable visits with friends and family members from near and far.

Jim Barger wrote the following tribute to his mother, which sums up what she taught her family and friends about life.

The Things My Mother Taught Me

My mother taught me to thump a watermelon, pick an orange and get the best head of iceberg lettuce

My mother taught me to plant a fruit tree and take care of it

My mother taught me how to value family

My mother taught me how to keep confidences

My mother taught me to love the most unloved person and fight for them so they might feel loved and special

My mother taught me to sing when your heart was sad and sing when your heart was glad

My mother taught me how to do a mean hokey pokey dance

My mother taught me how to be nice to people who were mean because they may be hurting inside

My mother taught me how to pray and pray again and then pray some more till the gates of heaven opened a crack

My mother taught me how to be kind to strangers because you never know when you might be entertaining angels unaware

My mother taught me how to eat liver…for extra iron you know

My mother showed me how to listen, smile, love God and one another unconditionally

Our mom believed in us, prayed for us and told us she loved us
Our mom was the best mom in the whole wide world!!

Love you Mom xxxox