Mildred Jayne Henson passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 29, 2025 after a long battle with Interstitial Lung Disease. She was born in San Jose, California on November 1, 1963 to Anthony Joseph Bellone and Betty Jane Harssema. At the age of five, Mildred moved with her parents and her older brother Rohe to Nampa, Idaho where she lived until she was eighteen years old. She attended Nampa High School and studied at Boise State University.

Mildred’s first-born son Rohe was born in 1980, and in 1982 the two of them moved to Anchorage, Alaska. Her second son Mackenzie (Kenny) was born in 1988. From the time she was a young girl, Mildred has always had a very strong work ethic. She held a variety of jobs including Assistant Manager at Eagle Hardware, and up until her health declined, she spent the last 17 years working as an Electronics Associate at Wal Mart. Customers asked for her specifically by name due to her helpful and kind nature.

Mildred met her late husband Tom in Alaska and moved to Yelm, Washington with him in February of 2000. They were married on January 6, 2001 in Yelm. Tom passed away after a long illness in February of 2019, and Mildred has grieved his loss since then. They both had a passion for volunteering, and the two of them were integral members of the Yelm Lions Club. She held many officer positions within her local Lions Club as well as at the District level. In September of 2018 Mildred was inducted as a Melvin Jones Fellow for her years of dedicated service to the community. This is the highest form of recognition and is presented to members who demonstrate a tremendous contribution to humanity and to the legacy of the Lions Club Founder, Melvin Jones. Some of her key roles in the Lions Club included being the Prairie Days Vendor Chair for many years, coordinating Salvation Army Bell Ringing during the holidays, and helping in the concession stand for Yelm Lions Club Movies in the Park every summer.

Mildred had a history of leukemia, and her involvement in Relay for Life meant a great deal to her. Fundraising for those fighting cancer was extremely important to her, as was taking the Survivors Walk at the annual Thurston County Relay for Life Event.

In 2018, Mildred agreed to be a board member for Hope Restored Christian Ministries, a ministry which supports a school and remote village in Eastern Uganda. She traveled to Uganda twice with her dear friend Christina Garcia, and treasured the time with the family she sponsored there. Her dedication to her faith and her desire to bring hope to those who need it speak volumes about her character. Her kindness and generosity will never be forgotten.

Upon returning from a trip to Uganda in 2019, Mildred re-connected with Jay Martin who she had known since she was a teenager. They loved each other deeply, and enjoyed volunteering together, taking road trips, being at home with their pets, and spending time at thrift and antique shops together. Jay was instrumental in caring for Mildred since her heart surgery in 2023 when her health began declining. He faithfully tended to her care until the day she passed away.

Mildred’s pride and joy was her family. She loved sharing pictures of her grandchildren and great-grandson and talking about how proud she was of each and every one of them. Mildred was a shining light in the eyes of everyone who had the honor of knowing her. She will be remembered for her ability to make anyone around her feel comfortable and welcome. She modeled the love of Christ who she loved deeply.

Mildred is survived by her partner Jay Martin, sons Rohe (Jessica) Hawley and Mackenzie (Krista) Hawley, brothers Tony Bellone and William Reynolds, five grandchildren (Jennifer, IvyJayne, Benjamin, Lukas, and Alaya) and one great-grandchild (Thomas), as well as cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends who miss her more than words can say.

She was preceded in death by her parents, spouse, and older brother Rohe Walter Bellone.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Mildred on June 28, 2025 at Living Water Church in Yelm, WA at 10 am. In lieu of flowers or gifts, contributions to her memory may be made to the Yelm Lions Club, Thurston County Relay for Life, or Hope Restored Christian Ministries.

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