MARY TERESA RODGERS

Mary Teresa "Mimi" Rodgers passed away unexpectedly on November 23, 2011 at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland Washington. She was born in Boston Massachusetts on March 2, 1934 to Richard and Gertrude Walsh, and was the oldest of four children. She lived in Boston and Waltham Massachusetts until 1949 when her family moved to Wareham Massachusetts. She met her future husband, Louis Rodgers "Pete", at Wareham High School when she was 16 years old and has been with him since.

On February 6, 1954, Mary and Lou were married in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Mary worked as a telephone operator until 1959, when they moved to Redlands, California and raised three children. She was a stay-at-home mom and spent time helping her kids with homework, driving them to swimming, tap, ballet, softball, and other after school activities. She also did things for herself, taking classes in upholstery and sewing. She was a Girl Scout Leader for her daughters for ten years, and a Cub Scout den mother for her son for two years. In 1975, Mary and her family moved to Apple Valley, California.

In 1977, Mary and her family moved to West Richland, Washington. Mary worked in the mortgage banking industry, first at Security Bank in Richland and later at Bancshare's Mortgage in Kennewick. During the time she lived in Washington, Mary traced the ancestry for both sides of the family back into the 1800's. In 1992 she retired, and began to enjoy her time with the grandchildren that lived in Washington. Over the years, the California and Alabama grandchildren would come stay with "Nana and Grandpa" in the summer. She and Lou also traveled frequently in their motorhome, visiting the grandchildren and camping in Washington, Oregon, and California. They also traveled cross-country in their motorhome to visit the east coast relatives. One of her favorite places to camp was Cannon Beach, Oregon. Mary enjoyed supporting multiple charities.

Mary is survived by her husband of 57 years, Louis "Pete" Rodgers of West Richland, and her brother, Richard Walsh, of Rockland, Massachusetts. In addition, she is survived by her daughter, Mary Lou Beaumont Bruce and grandchildren Daniel, Jessica and Andrew, daughter Johan Curtiss Michael and grandchildren Katie, Tim, and Mary Jo, and son Robert Rodgers Janet and grandchildren Hunter, Julia, and Jordan. She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church.

A funeral service will be held December 1, 2011 at 2:00 pm at Einan's Funeral Chapel, with a short graveside service immediately to follow. Mary will be missed by her family very much.