Mary Elizabeth Cantrell Caton
August 29, 1931 – April 1, 2024
From Yakima & Sunnyside, WA/ Born in Marshfield, MO
Mary Elizabeth Caton was born on August 29, 1931 to Riley Joseph and Ada Angeline (Daniels) Cantrell. The family managed fishing cabins in Missouri and then moved to Yakima, WA for employment at the Atomic Energy Commission Hanford Site. Mary graduated from Yakima’s Davis High in 1949. Mary also worked at the Hanford site for several years as an Executive Secretary and Supervisor in Administration until her retirement in 1989. Mary met the love of her life James E. Caton and they were married for 64 years before his passing in 2015. Mary and Jim loved the outdoors and were often relaxing at Rim Rock Lake catching annual Silvers, hunting pheasants with one of their several dogs (Heidi being one of their favorites), salmon fishing or huckleberry picking. Early in Jim and Mary’s marriage, they owned and rode horses, Goldie Boy, Sugar and Pud being their last horses they owned before moving from Sunnyside to Yakima in 1997. Mary loved gardening and could be found in her yard tending to her roses, rhubarb and florals. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers George, Donald (Bub), sisters Joanna Differding and Wylma (Tweetie) Cantrell. Mary was very close to her older brother Donald (the Bub) who had a talent for creating cartoons of Mary and Jim’s many excursions with funny commentary that would brightened Mary’s day. Mary was a member of Church of Christ in Sunnyside and then in Yakima. She believed deeply in her Christian values. Although Mary and Jim had no children, she is survived by several close nieces and nephews, as well as extended family and friends. Mary treasured friendships she made and was close to several members of her church and a special friend Jan. Inurnment services will be held Friday, April 12, 2024 at 11:00 am at Terrace Heights Memorial Park, Yakima, WA. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity.