Mary Palmer Richards went home to the Lord and her parents on Aug. 4, 2023, in State College, Pennsylvania. She was born on Jan. 17, 1963, to John and Goldie Palmer of Aberdeen. She grew up in Aberdeen and lived on the Harbor most of her life.

She graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1981. She later finished an Associate Degree from Grays Harbor College. While working on her degree she worked in the Financial Aid Office, which later turned into a 20-plus year career. She worked in the Grays Harbor College Financial Aid Office; also, as an assistant director of Financial Aid for Pierce College. She enjoyed helping students get the finances needed to finish an education.

Mary grew up in Trinity Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. When Trinity and Our Savior Lutheran churches merged, she was on the committee to pick the new name of Amazing Grace Lutheran Church. She and her mother, Goldie, were active in the church.

Mary enjoyed camping in the RV at Thousand Trails or the beach. She loved reading cookbooks, out of that grew a passion for cooking, canning tuna, chicken, pickles and jelly. Her jelly she would often donate to fundraisers.

She was a two-time cancer survivor — breast cancer in 2003 and brain cancer in 2006.

Mary is survived by two children Jason Boerner of Altoona, Pennsylvania and April (Aaron) Gann of Aberdeen, brother John Jr. of Monroe, Washington and sister Patricia ( Don) Shelton of Lacey, Washington. She is also survived by three granddaughters, Trinity and Justyne McWillis of Aberdeen and Kyle Boerner of Altoona, Pennsylvania.

She was preceded in death by her parents John Sr. and Goldie Palmer and step-daughter Erikka Richards.

We will celebrate Mary and the kindness she gave us with a potluck on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Hoquiam Elks Club, 624 K Street, Hoquiam, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please bring something to share or come and share your Mary memories.