— from Steven Schoen —
Mary Schoen died peacefully at her home in West Sound on Orcas island on April 26. Mary was born in Seattle in 1925 to Dudley and Katherine Brown. She graduated from Juanita High School and attended the University of Washington where she was a nursing student.
She married Bob Schoen in 1946 after he returned from the South Pacific where he served in the US Coast Guard during World War II.
Following their marriage, they sailed their 32 foot sailboat North to Victoria and then the San Juan Islands for their honeymoon. They anchored in Deer Harbor and decided that Orcas Island was where they wanted to make their life.
Bob soon started the first scheduled air service on Orcas. Later, he operated the Union Oil distributorship and the Orcas Ferry Landing. Mary helped Bob in these early business ventures and then focused her time on raising her two sons at their home in West Sound.
Mary was a talented artist and painted in watercolor and also created many beautiful weavings with her floor looms. Those who had an opportunity to visit with Mary over the years knew she was a consummate hostess and always wanted to provide guests with delicious cookies. She loved watching the otters, seals, herons, and eagles from her dining room windows and greatly enjoyed the companionship of her pets, particularly Henry her faithful black lab.
At the time of her death, Mary was 91 and had lived continuously on Orcas for over 70 years.
She is survived by John and Mary Beth Schoen of Anchorage, Alaska and Steve and Marti Schoen of Vancouver, Washington. She has four grandchildren: Erik and his wife Jenny in Fairbanks, Alaska, Sarah in Anchorage Alaska, Luke and Sophie in Beijing China, and Alice and Jason in Madison Wisconsin. She also has two great grandchildren in Fairbanks.
Mary’s family would like to extend special gratitude to the wonderful caregiving team of Nancy Schafer, Marie Nitz, Tricia Erly, Susan Bradford, Tracy McQueen, and Libby Cook who helped Mary navigate her difficult illness during her last years of life. We also appreciate the wonderful support of Becky Burkley, Steve McKenna, Dr. David Russell, and Hospice of the Northwest.
The family will plan a celebration of Mary’s life later this summer on Orcas. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends a donation to Hospice of the Northwest or the San Juan Preservation Trust.
Steve, you and John have been so blessed with such anchors for life as your mom and dad were. Her legacy lives on. As you embrace the loss of more temporal days with her you have an incredible treasure in the memories and love. May they comfort you now. Its been too long friend since we’ve connected sorry for these circumstances but my thoughts are with you.
Another wonderful Island Icon and lovely soul has left us. Mary will be sorely missed. I am so glad Mary was able to be in the home she and Bob loved so much and with such special care. I can see Mary and Bob sailing on the great sea in the sky together. We have been honored to have known them both. Our thoughts are with you all as well.
Steve and John: Your parents, Bob and Mary, were so gracious to Marvin and myself, and later our extended family, when we arrived on Orcas in 1967. They, together were mentors, who shaped the way we lived and worked on Orcas. Your Dad’s business help, and your Mothers smile were blessings. We have our memories to soften the sorrow.