Mary J. Tanasse

Mary Josephine Walsh Tanasse left this world on May 25, 2017, surrounded by her family. Mary was born May 5, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents, Agnes and Earl Walsh, adopted Mary from the Cradle Orphanage. She grew up in Rockford, Illinois, and later attended National Teaching College in Evanston, Illinois. Upon graduation, she ventured to California with five girlfriends to teach in Santa Cruz, California. Mary met her husband of 62 years, Bill Tanasse, in Monterey, California, at a USO dance. They were married in Pacific Grove, California, on October 1, 1953. Mary and Bill moved with the Air Force to Anchorage, Alaska, where their first child was born. They eventually settled in the Seattle area. In her early years of marriage, she continued her career as a teacher, moving to the role of substitute teacher as her family grew. Mary considered her life’s greatest accomplishment to be her nine children. While raising a family and working part time, she taught religious education, led scout troops for both her girls and boys, and participated in PTA. Mary was an important part of the Seattle Catholic Archdiocese Deaconate Program. While her husband directed the deaconate program, she identified needs and developed support for wives of ordained deacons. Mary prioritized her relationship with and to her community. She worked for social justice, volunteering in the Episcopal Church’s jail ministry and volunteered for Seattle Hospice. She was a registered lobbyist in Olympia, advocating for people with disabilities, which included her youngest child, Joe, who has Downs Syndrome. Mary also volunteered at Olympia Bread and Roses and Drexel House, preparing and serving food. As a lifelong learner, Mary continued active membership in book clubs and environmental groups. She was a 25-year member of a women’s spirituality group. She created the Prime Timers Senior Group at St Michael Catholic Church in Olympia. Her biggest gift and talent was in creating connections. By being open and vulnerable herself, she was able to create a sense of belonging, compassion and acceptance for all around her. In July 2017, she will be posthumously awarded “The Spirit of Mary Magdalene Award” by The Call To Action, Western Washington, Olympia Chapter, which honors her life of living the Beatitudes. Determined after facing a December 2016 diagnosis of ovarian cancer and subsequent placement on hospice, she marched via wheelchair with her family, carrying a banner reading “87 y/o and I will be heard” in the January 2017 Women’s March in Olympia. Her interview with the news produced a worldwide audience on social media. Later in life, an eight-year search found her biological family. Although her parents were deceased, she discovered and cherished three sisters, and an abundance of extended family. They brought her great joy and remained close. Mary is survived by her nine children, 24 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, three sisters, her sister-in-law, and eight nieces and nephews. Please leave memories of Mary or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.