Mary L. Thomsen

Mary L. (Morrison) Thomsen August 17, 1937 ~ May 8, 2015 Mary L. Morrison Thomsen, of East Wenatchee, WA and formerly of Wenatchee and Quincy, WA, 77 years, died May 8, 2015, after a sudden illness resulting from complications as a result of a heart attack and a serious automobile accident that occurred in 2006. Born August 17, 1937, in Wenatchee, Mary was the daughter of James "Irl" and Lou "Ellen" Morrison, and granddaughter of early Quincy pioneers, JB and Livingotha Morrison and Frank and Maude Petrak, all of Quincy. Mary grew up on the family homestead in Quincy and attended Quincy schools, graduating from high school in 1955. She was a graduate of Washington State College (now known as WSU), where she earned a degree in education with a specialty in home economics. In 1958, Mary married her childhood sweetheart, John James "Jim" Thomsen of Mansfield, WA, at Ohme Gardens in Wenatchee. The two had met when they were 9 and 10 years old attending 4-H camp at Camp Delaney. Together, the couple completed their college education at WSU. Their family increased with the addition of three daughters, Beth, Debbie and Brooke. Over the years, Mary encouraged her girls in the pursuits of many interests, including reading, gardening, bird watching, raising and showing rabbits and sheep, spinning, weaving and quilting. With friends and companions, the family explored the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountings, camping, hiking and fishing. Throughout her life, Mary pursued a variety of interests revolving around her family and the community. During the time the family lived in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Mary taught at the University of Alberta and was very active in the Girl Guides of Canada, serving as a troop leader. She was actively involved in 4-H for many years as a 4-H member, leader and judge at numerous county fairs. While living in Kirkland, WA, Mary was a volunteer at the Seattle Art Museum and presented "Treasure Box" programs to school children. Because of her interest in preserving and interpreting regional history, Mary served on the Grant County Centennial Committee. She also worked as Museum Director at Grant County Historical Museum in Ephrata, WA and later at the North Central Washington Museum in Wenatchee, where she enjoyed her work writing, editing and publishing articles and various publications for the museum, as well as helping to plan and promote museum events. She also greatly enjoyed giving tours of the museum to visitors and helping to judge papers written by Cashmere School District Middle School students as part of the Corps of Discovery Program. Mary was a member of the American Association of University Women. She was also a member of the North Central Washington Quilt Guild for more than 25 years and, after her accident, joined the Saddlerock Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Irl and Lou Ellen Morrison; husband, Jim; and brother, James Albert "Jim" Morrison. She is survived by daughter, Beth Miracle, son-in-law, Charlie Miracle and grandson, Jim Miracle; daughter, Debbie Koehnen, son-in-law, Mark Koehnen and granddaughters, Fiona and Ellie Koehnen; daughter, Brooke Thomsen-Halvorson, son-in-law, Tom Halvorson and step-grandsons, JT Halvorson and his wife, Anna, and Kevin Halvorson; brother and sister-in-law, Leroy and Cindy Thomsen and nephews, Darel, David and Dallas Thomsen; aunt, Gay Peck and uncle, Dick Peck; aunt, Bev Petrak; numerous cousins; and many friends. Graveside Services at the Quincy Cemetery will be held on Friday, May 22, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a Memorial Service celebrating Mary's life at 3:00 p.m. at Saddlerock Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Wenatchee. The family has requested that memorial donations be given, in Mary's name, to the Quincy Valley Historical Society Museum, the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center, or to a charitable foundation of your choice. You are invited to leave messages for Mary's family on her online guestbook at www.telfordschapel.com.

Mary L. Thomsen

August 17, 1937 - May 8, 2015