The legacy of Mary can be summed up with some of her last words: #1 her love for her Lord and Savior, #2 her love for Ken, #3 her love for her children, grandchildren, and family.

It began in Burlington Colorado on June 28th 1942 to Emmett and Maxine Teel, The family doctor that delivered her was off to World War II right afterward.  She and her older brother Dale grew up in Denver, ironically a mere 17 blocks from the future love of her life which she would not meet until college.  Mary was saved at an early age and she maintained a deep abiding faith for the rest of her life.

She graduated from Colorado University with her BSN after a year at Houghton College where she met George Beverly Shea. She has loved his music ever since.

She met Ken at Bear Trap Bible Camp in Colorado and we’re married 4 years later July 15th 1967. They were blessed with four children over the years who all remain close. They moved to Richland Washington in 1973.

Mary had a passion for loving people, for truly knowing them and coming alongside to meet them where they were and to help them through life’s challenges.  She was blessed with a God given gift to connect and support others as could be seen through her work as a psych nurse at both Mid Columbia Mental Health, her dream job at Lourdes Hospital in the Chemical Dependency Unit and her volunteer work at the Pregnancy Center.

Throughout her life, Mary was always active with any activity related to her children or grandchildren. From room mother and School Nurse at Jefferson to all the various activities of her very busy children. Including Good News Club, Pioneer Girls, Cub Scouts, VBS and many others.  Additionally, she enjoyed fellowship with her dear friends through various bible studies and women groups such as Biblestudy Fellowship, Sarah’s Circle; and the small groups in which she and Ken were members.  She and Ken had their trip of a lifetime to the Holy Land in 2003.

She took joy in sharing the fruits of her hobbies which included baking, crocheting, knitting items, and other crafts that she created with the people around her.

She was a devoted wife, mother, and friend who, throughout her life encouraged and supported all around her as she pointed them to Jesus. She loved fully with her heart and soul.

She graduated to heaven on May 26th 2024 and joined her grandson Brandan, her brother Dale, and her parents Emmett and Maxine in the presence of the Lord.

Mary was faithful, supportive, and encouraging until the end.  Remaining a shining example of living her faith daily for her husband Ken; her children Michele and her husband Blase, Angela, Kristina and her husband Jim, and Kenny; her grandchildren Alex, Emily, Brandan, Elise, Michele, and Sophia; and to her nephews Rodney and Deena, Ryan and Gretchen, and John and Laura and her niece Paige and Johnny.