Mary Jones Pennington nee Mary Frances Sophie Kuylaars passed away on May 28th at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mt. Vernon. She went peacefully and was surrounded by her loving family.
Mary was born in June 7th, 1916 in Stockholm, Sweden and was proud to become a naturalized US citizen in her adulthood. She grew up in Portland OR and graduated both from Franklin High School (1935) and Reed College (1939). She went on to receive her Master of Arts degree in Bacteriology in 1942 from the University of Oregon. She married Dr. Charles “C.H.” Jones from Centralia WA and worked as a medical technologist for several years while C.H. served as an US Army psychiatrist during WWII. Mary and C.H moved to Sedro-Woolley WA in 1949, where for ten years, C.H. held the position of superintendent at Northern State Hospital. While raising four children, Mary was a member of the Medical Auxiliary, President of the Sedro-Woolley chapter of the American Association of University Women, and enjoyed weekly games of bridge with her friends. She started the first Camp Fire Girls chapter in Sedro-Woolley. Mary and C.H. moved with their four children to Providence RI, returning to the West Coast in 1964.
Mary and C.H. created a magical home and gardens on Samish Island. With the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Hospitals, they travelled extensively both overseas and in the US in a motorhome. They later took numerous trips with Elderhostel (Road Scholars) and were always learning! Mary was an expert seamstress, a self-taught tole painter, and hosted fabulous parties with her signature angel pie. All the while she was intrigued by scientific discoveries and the world around her.
At the age of 80, after the death of C.H., Mary married her college friend Lloyd Pennington of Ashland OR.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents Frank J.B Kuylaars and Ellen S. Gustafsson Kuylaars, husbands C.H. and Lloyd, and sister Cory Craven of Boulder CO.
Mary is survived by her children, Kristine Goodan of Samish Island, Herb Jones of Sultan, WA, Falaah Jones of Seattle, Holly Reid of Melbourne, Australia, and their loving spouses; nine grandchildren, Heather, Sean, Tyler, Kuy, Robin, Charles, Margot, Aaron, Andrea and ten great-grandchildren, Jordan, Caleb, Otto, Waylon, Jacob, Abigail, Isaac, Brooke, Josie and Pepper will carry forth fond memories of their Oma.
Rest in peace Aunt Mary, may you have the Lords blessing for eternity
For Mom
When we were children Mom used to call us by our full names which I suppose we didn’t really like so we would respond: Yes, Marie Francoise Sophie Kuylaars Jones? It seemed funny to us that her name was so long–and that she was half Swedish and half Dutch! The Kuylaars part was my favourite, so Kuy carries on her name.
Mom taught me many things, most importantly that education, manners and friendship were the foundation of making something of ourselves, fitting in any social group and having fun while we were at it. Adventure was part of Mary’s life, and she shared her love of travel, discovering new people and places. We ventured out of Sedro Woolley to Providence and beyond for school and university but always came back home to Skagit County and to Samish Island. Crab, salmon, Swedish pancakes and Christmas glug greeted us in season year after year.
Mom taught me never skimp on food when entertaining and to try new things but we always started at the bargain basement of department stores to ensure we would value what she purchased in the end for us.
Mom visited my home in Australia three times, and she paid for our trip to Sweden which whet my appetite for discovering who our ancestors were. Later we took shorter trips, with Robin to the Olympic Peninsula, and with Brian to San Diego and to Boulder, Colorado to see Corrie for the last time.
Mary was Mom to me, Oma to many of you, Aunt Mary to some and a true friend to many. She enjoyed the art of an educated conversation and held friendships for many decades to which the Christmas card pile attested. Her love of the outdoors, hiking, skiing and Campfire Girls inspired me to do my best.
Mom was my friend and confidant. I will miss our weekly phone chats, her humour and boundless love.
Thank you Mom, for waiting for all of us to be together to let you go.
Papa’s rhododendrons are here to sweeten your way.
The Jones Family – what a special lady you blessed with for your Mom. She brought so much joy to young girls’ lives when she became the first Camp Fire Girls leader in Sedro-Woolley. She worked closely with my mom (Norma Wilson) as the second leader. While living in the Mansion at Northern State it was so much fun to explore the huge beautiful place. I will always remember her infectious smile and the kindness and direction shared as a Camp Fire Leader. My heart is with you at this time. She was so lucky to have lived such a long life. I wish you Godspeed. Sally Wilson Straathof
I so remember Mary’s huge smile! She always looked so delighted to be in the pool! I will miss her.
Irene Zucker
I knew Mary only from the YMCA where she loved the pool — and we all loved her. She was always so positive. So although she will no longer be swimming with us she will now be swimming with the angels. RIP Mary.
When I started going to the YMCA I was anxious about how people would react to my medical condition. At the time I only knew one person there so I sheepishly began. In the locker room one day, shortly after I started, Mary walked by me and paused. She said, “You are too young to give up. Just remember that as long as you keep moving, you keep living.” Then she went out to the pool for class. It would be later that I would come to know her a bit more. She will be missed.
Mary will be greatly missed at the Y pool workouts. A very cheerful and lovely lady.
Will never have fonder memories than those of the time spent with Mary and her family at Northern State and Samish Island.
With love,
Beverly
Will never have fonder memories than those spent with Mary and her family at Northern State and Samish Island.
With love,
Beverly
Mary, we will miss you and remember all our great visits with you.
Rest in peace
Richard and Karen Hughes