Mary Louise Irvin

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our sweet, loving wife, mother and nana after a brief, but courageous battle with stage-four cancer on April 9, 2024.

Mary Louise Irvin was born in Shelton, WA on September 7, 1945, to Donald and Ruth (Cole) Remsberg. She moved to Bellingham with her family in 1955 and attended Washington Elementary School, Whatcom Junior High School and graduated with honors from BHS in 1963. Mary went to WSU and shared long rides home from Pullman with Tim Irvin. Their budding friendship blossomed into true love, and they were sweethearts from that time on.

Mary graduated with honors and a BA in Child Development in 1967, and she and Tim were married in 1968. Daughter Kelli was born in 1969 and son Andy in 1971. Mary taught at the Co-op Nursery for two years and then earned a teaching certificate from WWU in 1978. She spent the next 24 years teaching 1st and 2nd grade at Happy Valley Elementary School until retirement in 2002. Mary loved teaching and her kids loved her. She was always an innovator and turned her love of Impressionism and Classical music into monthly lessons for her students on Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Mozart, Beethoven, and Vivaldi. The students were proud of their ability to identify different works of art and recognize famous musical pieces.

Mary enjoyed walking, especially at Squalicum Harbor, biking on multi-day rides with her lady friends, and with couples. Sailing in the San Juans with family was a favorite, as were trips with the all-women sailing crew to Desolation Sound. She loved traveling with Tim, helping him guide high school track teams in Hong Kong, China and Japan. Travels in Europe were great, and she liked France and Italy the most. Mary enjoyed February on Maui, gardening, reading, crosswords, knitting, dinner parties, Comas Dances, and summer days on the lake with grandchildren. She never turned down the chance to care for them and helped all of them learn to read.

Mary is survived by her husband of 56 years, Tim, her daughter Kelli Spann, her son Andy (wife Kara), her beloved grandchildren, Samson and Solomon Spann, and Deklan and Skotlyn Irvin, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins and her dear supportive friends.

Donations may be made in her honor to the wonderful people of Whatcom Hospice Foundation who made it possible for Mary to spend her final days at home with family and visiting friends.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, May 9th at Squalicum Boathouse, reception following.