Mary Virginia Keinath

She was a force. She was feisty. She was a difference maker. With that spirit never waning, Mary Virginia “Mary V.” Keinath passed away peacefully at Grays Harbor Community Hospital on March 19, 2026. Carolyn (daughter), Kathryn (granddaughter) and Lee (son-in-law) were by her side. She was 96 years old.

Mary V. was born on Dec. 30, 1929, in Medford, Oregon, where she spent her childhood and graduated from Medford Senior High School in 1948. She graduated from Oregon State College (now OSU) in 1952, where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delt) sorority. She treasured the lifelong friendships she made there. After graduating from OSU, she moved to Portland, Oregon, where she taught for three years at Sabia School. It was during this time when she met Charles “Chuck” Keinath (DOD 1/28/1989). They married in 1954. In 1955 they moved to Aberdeen where she began teaching third grade at McDermoth Elementary School. Mrs. Keinath taught third grade (with a few years of fourth grade) in Room 20 for 35 years, and retired in 1990.

Over the years, she and Chuck enjoyed trout fishing in Canada and Lake Quinault. In 1973, they began clearing land to build their cabin at Lake Quinault. They spent almost every weekend there. The plan was to retire together and spend as much time as possible at the cabin fishing, working outside, and spending time with friends. Mary V. could definitely hold her own with a weed whacker against the wild blackberries, among other things.

She was a supporter of the local community and was involved in a number of groups and organizations. Mary V. was a member of numerous clubs and organizations including P.E.O. Chapter BC (where she became known as the “Aberdeen Broom Lady”), St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, and Delta Kappa Gamma (a teacher’s honorary) until she passed away. She enjoyed supporting Chuck’s commitment to the Twin Harbors Marine Corps League detachment, the Aberdeen High School booster club, among others. Through these organizations, many friendships were formed and remained throughout the years.

Never one to sit still, after retiring in 1990, Mary V. worked part-time at the Gift Haus in Aberdeen, participated in several Elderhostels, traveled and cruised with friends, and in 1998 began spending a lot of time with her one and only grandchild, Kathryn Virginia Fern Pence. In 2000, she sold the family home of over 40 years in Canyon Court, and bought a new home where she lived independently until her death. That same year, she also began volunteering at the Grays Harbor Community Clothing Bank, where she was a director with Pat Berbells, managing a staff of volunteers, recording client visits, tracking donations, and monitoring inventory. It was only several months ago when she stepped down from her role as a director.

Mary V. was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years Charles “Chuck” Keinath, and her parents, Virginia M. Wait and Frank W. Wait (Medford, Oregon). She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Carolyn and Lee Pence, of Anacortes, Washington; and her granddaughter, Kathryn Pence of Burlington, Washington. She is fondly remembered by many dear friends that became like family, and former students (too many to mention).

The family thanks the staff at Community Hospital who assisted her during her short stay there. She was fond of many, and got to know each of them through her inquisitive nature. There are no words to express the gratitude to Barbara Whitney, Ana Marquez and many others, whose support and friendships over the last 10 years, helped Mary V. remain in her home.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 1 p.m., at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, in Aberdeen, Washington. A celebration of her life will immediately follow in the church’s parish hall, where stories and memories can be shared.

In lieu of flowers, Mary V. asked that donations be made in her memory to the Grays Harbor Community Clothing Bank, P.O. Box 1895, Aberdeen, WA 98520, and PEO — Chapter BC, 528 Westerly Drive, Aberdeen, WA 98520.

Arrangements are entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary.