Mary Katherine Popovich peacefully passed away at the age of 88 on Thursday, April 9, 2020, at The Beehive Harmony House in McCleary, Washington. She was an only child, born on Nov. 12, 1931, to Edward Nelson and Quinea Mae (Tarbutton) Suter in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Mary was Salutatorian of Biloxi High School. She met the love of her life, George Popovich, at Keesler Air Force Base where she loved to dance and was the USO Queen. She graduated from California State University, San Bernardino, with a BA in Psychology, in 1984 after working for many years in banking and raising a family in California.
Mary loved making things. She sewed many clothes for her girls while they were growing up as well as decorating the house. She also knitted and crocheted sweaters, afghans and other items. She won a national contest for her cross-stitched lighthouse. Most of her family members proudly hang one or more of her paintings on their walls.
In 1986, Mary moved with her husband, George, from Southern California to Renton, Washington, and then later to Silverdale, Washington, where they both enjoyed gardening, beekeeping, candle making and home preserving. Together they also sang in the Boeing choir and traveled the world.
Mary moved to Raymond, Washington, in 2007. She quickly became involved with St John’s Episcopal Church and later the Lutheran Church. She volunteered with the Friends of the Raymond Library, and sang with the chorale.
No meal was complete for Mary without a Barq’s Root Beer, which was manufactured in her hometown of Biloxi. For many, many, years Mary ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner every evening. She loved her sweets, regularly consuming mint chocolate chip ice cream, cookies and chocolate-covered cherries. She always had a chocolate stash the family could count on finding in her home. She was also always prepared with an endless supply of starlight mints, which she kept in her pants pockets.
Surviving Mary are her daughters Emily Popovich of South Bend and Dorothy (Chris) Albright of Junction City, Oregon. She also leaves five grandchildren,and eight great grandchildren. Her daughter, Linda Popovich, and husband George preceded her in death.
A private family burial will be held at Cherry Grove Memorial Park in Poulsbo, Washington on Friday, April 17, 2020. Due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) there will not be a service. In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorials may be made to Friends of the Raymond Library.
Arrangements are in care of Stoller’s Mortuary in Raymond, Washington. You may visit www.StollersMortuary.com to leave condolences for the family.
