Mary Frances Bassett, 94, passed away on April 11, 2014 in Richland, WA. She was born August 20, 1920 to Edna and John Long in a very rural South King County, area near the now cities of Federal Way and Auburn. Her youth was spent in the woods and meadows of the Pacific Northwest, living in a large farmhouse, complete with woodstove heating. She liked to tell the true story of walking with her siblings to a one room schoolhouse, being careful to avoid the cougars and black bear that were frequently spotted. Her brother carried a shotgun to protect them all.

Mary attended Pacific Lutheran University and University of Washington, graduating with a BA teaching degree. She earned her master's degree later while working. She was praised for her success as a teacher. Almost her entire career was accomplished at Highline School District, outside of the Seattle area. She retired from there in 1980.

Mary met the love of her life, Sherrell L. Bassett, just before WWII. They married quickly and spent the entire war in the pacific Beach on the Washington coastline, where Sherrell was stationed performing his Naval duties. Mary kept working as a teacher for all the Navy children.

They settled back in Burien, WA after WWII for a few years, and then built a lovely home on the hillside overlooking the Kent valley's Green River farmland to raise their family.

Mary never lost the desire to be at the beach so her and our dad built a home at Ocean Shores, WA. She enjoyed many good family and friends gathering, clam digging and beachcombing.

A lover of nature, Mary was a bird watcher and gardener. The variety of flowers gracing her yards was beautiful. The birds had a haven in her gardens. She also grew amazing large raspberries. Family waited for her prized raspberry jelly. She also had an eye for antiques and decorated her various homes always with a splash of wonderful old glassware and cozy antique furniture.

In later years she moved to a cottage, then an apartment with a great view of South Puget Sound, at Wesley Gardens for retired seniors Methodist Church owned in Des Moines, WA. She stayed socially active with quilters club where she had a wonderful circle of friends that cared for each other. She continued to attend the same church as an active member for 40 years and had developed many lifelong friendships with her husband, many who also resided at Wesley Gardens.

As her health struggles started and continued it became important to get her nearer to family that could include her easily with holiday events, family outings and birthdays. It gave us ease in watching over her and keeping medical appointments. She lived at Prestige Assisted Care Facility and Rehab for over four years. The community and care she felt there was a blessing. We want to thank all the staff who treated Mary with such compassion and respect. You became a second family to her and us. You are in our hearts. We also want to thank the hospice team and the hospice volunteers. Mom was so comfortable until the end. Your dedicating loving work is another blessing.

She is survived by her children, Steven Bassett Mona, Kathryn Sherwood Mark and James Bassett Kitte. She has seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; and siblings, Lilly, Johnny, Ester and Blanche.

Mary will be missed for her humor, dignity, and attention to family and friends wherever she went. We are comforted that she is in God's welcoming arms now. We appreciate that any memorial donations in her honor be to: Tri-Cities Chaplaincy 1480 Fowler St. Richland, WA 99352 or Des Moines Area Food Bank P.O. Box 98788 Des Moines, WA 98198.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 19th at Des Moines United Methodist Church, 22225 9th Avenue South, Des Moines WA 98198. Mary will be entombed with her husband and our dad privately at Washington Memorial Park, Seattle, WA.