Mary ‘Louise’ Burrese-Kell, 86, a former Hamilton area resident, passed away on Monday, September 29, 2008 at the St. John Medical Center in Longview, Washington.
She was born on April 10, 1922 in Cartoogechaye, North Carolina, the daughter of Norman & Hester Hodgin Drake. As a young girl with her parents, she came out from North Carolina to Hamilton in 1936.
Louise was married to Pastor William E. Burrese in July of 1939 and they made their home in Hamilton and Camas. He passed away in 1976. In June of 1982, she married Arthur Kell and he too preceded her in death in 1993.
Louise was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and home maker. She enjoyed crafts, and as a pastor’s wife, performed missionary work and taught Sunday School. Louise was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy for approximately 60 years.
Louise is survived by her three sons, Bill Burrese of Camas, WA, Bob Burrese of Castle Rock, WA and Gene Burrese of Kelso, WA. A sister, Bertha Talley of Sedro-Woolley, WA; a brother, Jim Drake of Marysville, WA; nine grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides her husbands, Louise was also preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Ted and Earl Drake and a sister, Edna Shelton.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 2:00 PM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Roger Jones of the Church of God of Prophecy officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery.