MARY E. CONKLING GURNEY, 95, a resident of Mount Vernon, passed away on November 1, 2004 at Skagit Valley Life Care Center of Mount Vernon.
Mary was born June 30, 1909 in Alliance, Ohio to Walter E. and Mary E. Williams Dougherty. As a young girl the family moved to Alt, Colorado where she was raised and attended school. Mary was married to Clarence M. Conkling in Texas in 1931. They made their home in Colorado until finally settling in Sedro-Woolley in 1946.
Mary began working as a secretary for the Sedro-Woolley School District in 1946 where she was a devoted employee for 27 years, retiring in 1973. After her retirement she moved to the Panorama City Retirement Community in Lacey, WA. She returned to the Skagit Valley in 2000.
Mary enjoyed reading and was a member of Methodist Church book club. She also enjoyed making baby toys and was known for her sleepy dolls, stocking dolls, circle dolls and clown dolls. She was actively sewing until she was 92.
Mary is survived by her two daughters, Laura Lee Dunning and Bonnie Pullman and her husband, Arthur, all of Sedro-Woolley. A step-daughter, Lugene Baldwin in California. One sister, Alice Prescott of Lacey, WA. One nephew Reid Prescott. Six grandchildren, Brian Dunning, Larry Dunning, Elizabeth Swigger and her husband, Walter, Scott Davis and his wife, Shannon, Katherine Wottreng and her husband, Walter and Steve Davis. Ten great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren. And her extended family, the loving and caring staff at the Life Care Center of Mount Vernon and her many friends.
She is preceded in death by her first husband, Clarence M. Conkling in 1960, her older sister, Helen Dougherty and her second husband, Leon Gurney.
At her request there will be no funeral services. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
Share memories of Mary and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com