Mary Ophelia Martinsen

Mary Ophelia Martinsen 98, went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday January 7, 2024. She had been a resident of Gladden Adult Family Home in Shoreline since 2015.

Mary was born in Randelette, OK on March 26, 1925 to John and Jewel Belt. Mary grew up in OK and TX. Graduating from Pampa, TX High School in 1942. Mary moved with her parents to Seattle after WWII,where she was a graduate of Seattle Business College.

In 1948 she met John “Laurel” Martinsen, they were married during a snow storm at First Presbyterian Church on top of Queen Anne Hill, January 4, 1949. Shortly thereafter, “Laurel” was drafted in error into the U. S. Army and he and Mary moved to Chicago, Il for his training. They returned to WA state and Laurel was discharged from the Army.

Soon after they moved to southeastern, AK where they worked in commercial fishing with Laurel’s parents. Mary’s two children, Linda and Bob were born in Juneau and Petersburg, AK 1950 and 1953. In 1962 the family moved to Seattle, WA where they lived in the Wedgewood neighborhood for over 51 years.

Mary worked as a mail order clerk for Sears & Roebuck in AK and Seattle for 30 years. She also was employed as a hotel clerk for the Inn at Virginia Mason for 15 years.

In her retirement Mary volunteered time and energy to various projects and activities in support of military veterans through the American Legion Auxiliary of American Legion Post 227 of Shoreline, WA.

Mary was a volunteer counselor for Alanon and together with husband Laurel mentored many friends at Palisades Retreat Center in Federal Way over 20 years.

Mary is survived by daughter Linda Coffey (Raymond) and son Robert

(Debbie) Martinsen, 5 grandchildren: Lynanne Coffey (Brett Macfarlane),

Robert (Kara Mae) Coffey, Russell (Shannon ) Coffey, Angela (Scott)

Chapman, Amy (Derek) Heath; and 10 great-grand children.

A committal service for Mary will be held Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 11:30 AM at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133. Following the committal service will be a memorial service at 1:00 PM at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133.