Mary Ann Greenlee

On February 15 our beloved Nan left us to join in heaven her mother, father and brother. Mary Ann (two words, not one) was born in Terre Haute, Indiana to Claude and Helen Schmidt. In 1949 she graduated from St. Patrick’s High School, a private Catholic high school for girls in Terre Haute. She went on to graduate from St. Anthony’s Hospital School of Nursing, in Terre Haute, receiving her R. N. degree in 1952. She immediately began her nursing career at St. Anthony Hospital and worked there from 1952 to 1962.

In the spring of 1953 she met her one and only, Pat Greenlee of West Terre Haute. They married in 1954. Now, Terre Haute and West Terre Haute are vastly different towns, separated by the Wabash River and about a hundred years. Nan often commented that she married someone from “the other side of the river”, a diplomatic reference to Pat’s needy hometown and his unique approach to life.

While living in Indiana, Pat and Mary Ann (two words, not one) started their family, having three children: Dennis, Lynn and Mark. However, in 1962, Pat’s employer (Green Giant Company) transferred Pat and family to Olympia, Washington, where Mary Ann (two words, not one) lived until her passing and where Pat still lives today. The couple made the trip west with mother Helen, who lived with the family until her passing in 1967.

Upon their arrival in Olympia, Mary Ann (two words, not one) resumed her nursing career working at St. Peter’s Hospital for a short time before going to work with Dr. Richard E. Grant in Lacey as his RN. She worked for Dr. Grant for 31 years before retiring in 1994.

Mary Ann (two words, not one) is survived by her husband Pat (actually named Dennis Patrick Greenlee, Sr.), sons Dennis Jr. (Patty) and Mark (Becca), daughter Lynn Greenlee Saville (Mike), grandchildren Mark Saville (Elizabeth), Julie Saville (Jake), Aaron Greenlee (Carolyn) and Rachel Greenlee, as well as two beautiful great granddaughters, Kellyn and Ryan.

When her first grandchild was born, Mary Ann (two words, not one) magically became known to family and friends alike as “Nan”. That’s what we called her. Why this happened remains a family mystery.

Nan loved her Diet Pepsi cola (no diet Coke, please) which she always drank through a straw. She loved fresh crab and lobster, steamed clams, popcorn and Chinese food. No one cooked catfish like Nan. She could quote line after line from Gone With the Wind. And, if you were a “my little pretty”, you could be treated to her perfect imitation of the laugh of the Wicked Witch of the West. In the last few years Nan got hooked by the Glassybaby craze and owned an even dozen votives. One, named “Mom”, will be buried with Nan.

Nan loved to dance. In fact, her very first conversation with Pat was when he asked her to dance at a local club in Terre Haute. Both Nan and Pat are great dancers. Nan liked to play the slots at the casino but was always frugal with her wagering. In years past she and Pat were part of the Tanglewilde Poker Club with three other couples with whom they were close. Nan loved the Seattle Mariners, particularly Dave Niehaus, and the Seahawks. To the chagrin of daughter Lynn, but to the delight of sons Mark and Dennis, Nan rooted on the Washington Huskies. She was often seen sporting one of her many UW sweatshirts.

But, Nan’s first love was her family. She was a fixture at any event involving her kids or grandkids. She knitted many afghan blankets for all of us. She was always the rudder which guided the family. She was not timid in giving us her advice, sometimes bluntly, but, she never sat in judgment.

In the last few years Nan took on the responsibility of caring for Pat as his health has declined. This included taking on the role of the family bookkeeper, a duty new to her. Once she got the hang of it, she mastered the books and we are all so proud of her for that. This went along with her mastery of the iPhone---emojis were her friend. Many a millennial could learn a thing or two from Nan about iPhones.

Our Nan was loved by all who knew her. She was truly one of a kind. She will be sorely missed. The world will be a lesser place without her.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you submit a donation to the American Diabetes Association in Mary Ann’s name (two words, not one). https://www.diabetes.org/donate