Mary Elizabeth Keith passed away on Sept. 26, 2009, in Bellingham, Wash.

She was 64.

Mary was born May 5, 1945, in Twin Falls, Idaho to Charles and Thelma Nanz. After graduating from Twin Falls High School, Mary attended Boise Junior College, now known as Boise State University. She married Doren Keith and they had a son, David. 

After living in Twin Falls and Seattle for a several years, they moved to San Juan Island in 1978. Mary worked at the San Juan County Assessor’s Office and later for the Town of Friday Harbor.

Mary enjoyed participating in the San Juan Community Theatre. Whether as an actress, stagehand, or running lights, she enjoyed every moment and the wonderful friendships that developed. She also enjoyed singing with the San Juan Singers. In recent years, she began water coloring and participating with other artists at Mullis Community Senior Center.

Mary was a long-time faithful member of Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church. She was the newsletter editor and served the Lord in many ways in the life of the congregation. 

She is survived by her son, David Keith of Spokane, Wash.; and her sister, Gerry Draper, in Nampa, Idaho.

All will miss Mary’s tender heart and her love for her friends, family and life.

A memorial service was held Sept. 29, at the Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church. Memorials may be sent to the church In Memory of Mary Keith.

A co-worker at Town Hall, Keri Talbott, wrote, “Mary is someone who was close to many. She was a very loyal friend, and very supportive. She could see the humor in a lot of things and was very creative in how she expressed herself. I loved sharing stories with Mary and learning a lot about Mary in how she told her stories. She had one of the Town’s most recognizable license plates, MEK. She was always invovled in things and only learned the word “no” when she got sick. 

“She meant a lot to a lot of people.”