Louisa Garnet Boggs Mar

Louisa Garnet Boggs Mar passed away on October 9, 2020, in the presence of her four children. She was nearly 100. Born at home in Kentucky on March 12, 1921, and named after a paternal aunt, Louisa was the youngest daughter of John Milton Boggs and Hattie Pennington. She had nine siblings and ten half-siblings.

It was Louisa’s great pleasure to grow up on a farm in Webbville, Kentucky. Later her family temporarily moved to Ohio, where she became the first in her family to graduate from high school. In 1940 she left Kentucky for work and settled in Seattle, Washington, where she became the first woman employed in Boeing’s Shop 61 during the early years of World War II. She married James S. Mar, a first-generation Chinese American, in 1943 at the Seattle Chinese Baptist Church on King Street. They were married 63 years.

Louisa was a longtime member of Kirkland First Baptist Church and resided in Bellevue, Wash., since the 1950s. She was an accomplished homemaker known for her delicious fresh-baked pies, and she volunteered at the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary; her church’s quilting group; her sister-in-law Ruby Chow’s Seattle restaurant; and hosted Taiwanese naval officers visiting Seattle. Whenever possible, she enjoyed attending the annual Boggs family reunion in Ashland, Kentucky.

Louisa was known for her sweet disposition, sense of humor, faith in Jesus, kind heart, and her quick ability to make friends.

She is survived by four children, Trisha, Rick, Wayne, and Jamie; five grandchildren, Steven, David, Chris, Michele, and Becca; eight great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Jim Mar and their son Marvin Roach. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to your favorite charity.