| Graduation Year | (unknown) |
| Date of Passing | Jun 07, 2017 |
| About | Mary Michael (Mendenhall) Rogers passed on June 7, 2017 after her battle with cancer. Even after her diagnosis she approached each day with a gracious attitude, always looking forward to seize the day. Mary is survived by her husband Greg, her son Gavin and daughter-in-law Kaitlyn, her daughter Katy and son-in-law Seth, her grandchildren Emory, Jackson, Maryn, and Reagan, her brother Craig and sister-in-law Jan, and her brother-in-law Kim. Mary was preceded in death by her mother and father, Lee and Margaret Mendenhall, and sister-in-law Jeanne. Mary was born on October 17, 1948 in Yakima to Lee and Margaret Mendenhall. Mary was a protective big sister and always looked out for only brother Craig. Once, she went on a trip with her cousin Lori and grandpa Winfield Boyd to Dodge City. Mary was so impressed with the food she felt compelled to mail some of it home to Craig. Imagine Craig’s surprise when he opened the letter and out fell a piece of cow tongue. In addition to US Postal Service exploits, Mary also spent much of her youth swimming on the Franklin swim team and working as a lifeguard during the summers. Mary attended Eisenhower High School where she met Greg Rogers, the man she would later marry. Before her senior year she traveled throughout Europe and behind the Iron Curtain, which had a huge impact on her and sparked a lifelong love of adventure. After high school she was accepted to the University of Washington and became a member of Alpha Delta Pi. She graduated in 1971 with a teaching degree. After college Mary returned to Yakima, accepted a teaching position at McClure Elementary, and had the good fortune of spending her 34-year career teaching third grade in the same classroom. She loved the challenge and she especially loved her team of coworkers. She created interesting units but had the most fun teaching art. When Mary saw students in need she took care of them, sometimes regardless of school protocol. Mary and Greg Rogers married on April 21, 1973 after dating for seven years. They had two children, Gavin and Katy. Mary was a cool mom, a great wife, and was blessed to have many wonderful friends. She showed her dedication to her kids by cooking breakfast each morning, ferrying them to multiple athletics practices, and watching games from the bleachers year round. She took great joy in supporting her children and was a first-class sports mom. Mary was an incredibly loving and patient wife to her husband Greg. They spent nearly 50 years together and had countless adventures, including trips to Hanalei, DC, Italy, and hundreds of destinations all over the country while road-tripping as retirees. The family will always remember the adventures as well as special little events, like cutting Christmas trees together and inevitably, trying to set them up straight once home. Dad, under the Christmas tree, yelling “IS IT STRAIGHT?” and Mom answering while looking out the window, clearly enjoying Dad’s elevated blood pressure level: “Yep, looks great.” Mary’s greatest love of all was for her four grandchildren. The joy she found in those kids was unmatched. At frequent family gatherings she would jump from playing dinosaurs in the dirt to painting nails to letting them squirt her in water fights. She won their hearts and stomachs with the countless goodies she made. She showed her love by spending the most valuable thing she had -- her time. “Be cheery, it’s a worthy goal.” This is what Mary’s mom often said, and it’s how Mary lived her life. Her family and friends will miss her quick wit, upbeat attitude, the sound of her laughter and the loyalty she showed to those she loved. Per Mary’s request a small family gathering will be scheduled at a later date. Yakima Herald Republic, Yakima, WA June 9, 2017 NOTE: Not sure if she graduated from Ike but she did attend at some point. |
