Mary (Hayes) Nielsen

02/02/1917 – 08/02/2012
Mary Jane (Hayes) Nielsen, 95, died on August 2, 2012 in Olympia with her son  at  her  bedside. Mary was born February 2, 1917, in Kirkland, Washington, the only child of Mae and John Hayes. She had many fond memories of growing up near Lake Washington where her mother and father owned a neighborhood service station and grocery. Mary graduated from the Metropolitan Business College in 1937 and worked as a bookkeeper for a time before marrying Robert Fredericksen in November of 1941. Mary also worked as assistant personnel manager at the shipyard during WWII, before the birth in 1947 of their only child. In 1953, Mary, Robert and their young son moved to Lopez Island in the San Juans where they built and operated a family-style restaurant on 33 acres near the ferry landing. The restaurant was very popular. Mary was known for her spectacular pies. Customers compared the size and shape of the meringue on her lemon meringue pies to the distant view of Mount Baker they enjoyed while dining at the restaurant. Islanders and visitors alike enjoyed Mary’s cooking and hospitality, especially her wonderful Sunday dinner specials.
In 1969, Mary and Robert sold the restaurant and moved to Anacortes where they planted and cared for the beautiful gardens surrounding their Campbell Lake home and did some travelling in the western U.S. and Canada. Following Robert’s death, Mary met Bill Nielsen and decided they were meant for each other. They married in September, 1981. In 1985, Mary and Bill moved to Lake Whatcom where they remodeled their new place on the waterfront until it felt like home. They enjoyed taking day trips around Whatcom County in Bill’s vintage Mercedes convertible. They also took several longer trips together, cruising to Alaska and flying to Denmark. They were happy together. They took sailing lessons on the lake and perfected their musical duets, Mary playing the organ and Bill playing the mandolin. They had lots of fun and lots of laughs.
Mary continued on at Lake Whatcom after Bill’s death, pursuing activities through the Unity Church and making lasting friendships among the Women of Unity. After her 91st birthday, Mary decided it was time to leave Bellingham and moved to Olympia to be closer to her son.
Mary will be forever remembered by her family and friends as a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother; as a quiet, capable and self-reliant woman; as a warm and gracious friend and hostess; as an excellent cook, avid gardener and skillful homemaker; and as a tireless volunteer for Unity Church. Her caregiver, Daniela Vicovan, described Mary as a kind and appreciative person who never complained and who will be sorely missed at “A Place Called Home.”
Mary is survived by her son Gary Fredericksen (Dara) of Olympia and granddaughter Devon Fredericksen, as well as stepsons Dave Nielsen (Marcia) of Sammamish and John Nielson (Linda) of Mercer Island and their respective children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
As Mary requested, cremation was performed and a memorial service is planned for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 25 at the Bellingham Unity Church, 1095 Telegraph Road. Memorials and remembrances are directed by the family to local hospice organizations and favorite charities.