M. Lethene Parks

1931 - 2024

Mary Lethene Parks of Vancouver, Washington, aged 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 29, 2024.

She was pre-deceased by her husband of 51 years, Richard Allen (Dick) Parks, who died in 2002.

She is survived by four children: Cathy Sato with husband Masashige Sato; Randy Parks; Carrie Parks with husband Gary Akizuki; and Chris Parks with wife Leticia. There is also a former daughter-in-law, Kim Halverson. There are seven grandchildren and two step-grandchildren: Rachel Parks with husband Shawn Alvarado; Jon Parks; Katie Rivera with husband, Sam; Ryo Sato with wife, Jessie; Marie Quicksall with husband Josh; Allen Akizuki with wife Melissa; Michelle Akizuki; Martin Moreno with wife Nicole; and Jackie Moreno. She is also survived by seven great grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren: Berend and Skyler Alvarado; Deacon Sato; Vaughn and Rosie Quicksall, Alissa and Riah Akizuki; and Haley and Theo Moreno.

Despite having some tragedies in her life, Lethene was a resilient and positive person. At age 11, she was the main caregiver for her father during the last months of his terminal illness while her mother went out to work. She developed an interest in history and genealogy from him. Later she became one of the first two newspaper girls in Spokane during WWII.

With four kids under age ten, she overcame the limitations on women to get a Masters of Librarianship at the UW in the 1960's. Her husband, Dick, worked two jobs to help pay tuition and gave his full support to her. He was always proud of having an accomplished wife.

She went on to become nationally known for helping to develop bibliotherapy, a form of therapeutic writing, and for her expertise in providing library services to institutionalized, disabled, and underserved populations. She finished her career as the head of all institutional libraries in Washington State, a position for which she was paid $11,000 less per year than men of equivalent professional status.

After retiring to rural Stevens County, Lethene was successful in establishing the first new public library district in the state in 40 years despite stiff anti-tax opposition.

In 2000, the American Library Association named Lethene to their honor roll as one of ten people from Washington State recognized for significantly strengthening or supporting library services during the past 100 years.

Funeral Services will be held from 10:30 am-2 pm Sunday, April 6 at the Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center, 127 South Mission Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801

Donations may be made to your local library, history museum or genealogy society.