Mary Lou Thomas-Carson

Mary Lou Thomas-Carson passed away Dec. 10, 2014, at Summitview Health Center. She is remembered as arguably the most prominent and visible figure in Yakima’s music and cultural scene throughout the last half-century.

Born in Lake Preston, SD, Jan. 22, 1928, Mary Lou Thomas-Carson spent her early years with her family in a variety of ranching communities in South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming. For a time, she settled in Scottsbluff, Nebraska and Seaside, Oregon. But for the last half century, her true home has been Yakima, Washington. It was here that she truly thrived; her dedication to the community’s music and arts programs established her as one of the most prominent and cherished figures in town, and she was fortunate to be surrounded by such a supportive network of friends and family.

Her love of music began at an early age, inspired by her parents, who were both amateur musicians. After graduating from high school in Scottsbluff, NE, she enrolled as a Music major at the University of Colorado in Boulder. It was there that she met her first husband, Harold (Tommy) Thomas. Following graduation, the young couple and their daughter, Julie, moved to Seaside, OR, where Tommy had accepted his first teaching position as the first high school music teacher. In 1955, Mary Lou, Tommy, Julie, and their son Scott, relocated to Yakima, where Tommy became the first band director for the new Eisenhower High School. In 1960, just six weeks after the birth of their son Brian Paul, Mary Lou traveled, by train, with Tommy and 100+ band and drill team members to Washington, DC, representing Washington State in the Kennedy Inaugural Parade.

Mary Lou’s first teaching position was with the Union Gap School district. After a hiatus to care for her family, she returned to teach in the Yakima Public Schools for over 30 years. She then taught music in the Yakima Catholic Diocese. All of her years teaching were augmented with a wide spectrum of musical activities, including church choirs at First Presbyterian and Westminster Presbyterian, (where she assumed the role of choir director following Tommy’s death in 1962). She enthusiastically took on all that was asked of her, continuing to join other organizations like the Warehouse Theater, Bel Canto, the Yakima Symphony, Lion’s Club, the Yakima Community Band, and countless other community events.

Mary Lou married Joe Carson in 1981, and enjoyed his companionship until his death in 1985. In addition to her involvement in music, Mary Lou traveled extensively throughout the US, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and China, often to participate in Volkswalks.

In 1967, upon the birth of her first grandchild, Wendy, Mary Lou became affectionately known as “Mimi”. The moniker evolved from “Gramma Mimi”, to “Aunt Mimi”, to “Mimi” used by friends and family alike.

Everyone who came in contact with Mary Lou immediately felt as ease. She was infectiously warm, outgoing, and loved to laugh. Her family eagerly anticipated the moments when she would spontaneously break into song whenever she felt inspired by a word or phrase. Despite personal tragedies and setbacks, the glass in Mary Lou’s life remained not only half-full, but overflowing. Her eternal optimism and generosity of spirit touched the lives of her family, friends, students, and even the children of those students.

The constants in her life were her faith, her family, music and her love of everything Yakima. She was her own chamber of commerce when it came to touting the benefits of Yakima, to which she lovingly referred to as “God’s Country”.

Mary Lou is survived by her daughter, Dr. Julie Thomas, Portland, OR, sons D. Scott Thomas ( Guylaine) Landenberg, PA and Brian-Paul Thomas (Richard Keith), Norwalk, CT; brother W. Kent Green (Susie) Naperville, IL. Grand children – Wendy Bax (Dan) Portland, OR, Melissa Jones (Chris), Boston, MA, Gabrielle and Cameron Thomas – Landenberg, PA; Great grand daughters Elyse and Jenna Bax- Portland, OR and nieces Christy Green-Marcus (Trey)- Naperville, IL and Nicole Green- . She was preceded in death by her husbands, her parents and her brother Chad.

Her family would like to express their gratitude to the staff members of Summitview Health Care and Heartlinks Hospice & Palliative Care for their dedication to Mary Lou’s well-being and for the kindness extended to her family. There are so many friends to whom we are grateful, but we would like to especially thank our friend Alma Harris, for the tireless, loving attention she paid Mary Lou and for the support and friendship she graciously extended to our family.

A Memorial Service/Concert will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 1:00 p.m., at Englewood Christian Church, 511 N. 44th Ave., Yakima, WA 98908.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mary Lou Thomas-Carson Memorial Fund at any branch of Wells Fargo Bank; or, if preferred, Mary Lou had suggested the following: Yakima Community Band, Yakima Youth Symphony, Yakima Humane Society and Englewood Christian Church – BackPack Ministry.

“And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,

And through eternity, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on

And through eternity, I’ll sing on.”

(“What Wondrous Love is This”, Christian Folk Hymn, 1811)

To share a memory of Mary Lou, please visit www.keithandkeith.com.