Mary Ellen Bristow, age 67, passed away peacefully at her home in Elma, Wash. after an extended illness, on May 15, 2017, surrounded by family.
Mary was born on Sept. 2, 1949, in Aberdeen, Wash., to Bernice and Howard Raby. She married her best friend, Kenneth Bristow, on Dec. 1, 1973, in Grayland, Wash. The couple lived in Grayland and Aberdeen before settling in Elma, Wash. Mary was a graduate of Ocosta High School class of 1968. Mary worked for the Westport Police Department, Hallmark and Walmart for over 15 years before retiring to spend time with her family.
Mary was very active in family events and loved vacationing in Reno, California and Hawaii, and before her mother’s death, loved going on bingo trips with her. Mary could often be found baking for her family or attending sporting events for her grandchildren, cheering them on. She also enjoyed trips to the casino with her sister-in-law Becky and her husband, Larry, loved hosting card games often, enjoying food and memories with family, and in the fall 2014 Mary, her brother Bob, her niece Kyla, and Tyler and Mary Jane traveled to Disneyland for a week full of fun.
Mary will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister and friend who always had a kind word, loving attitude and an open door for anyone.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Dick Raby and his wife, Kathy. Mary is survived by her husband of 43 years, Ken of the family home, two children, Rebecca Bristow of Elma, Wash. and Kevin (Anita) Bristow of Pendleton, Ore.
Mary had a close relationship with her brothers, David Raby of Portland, Ore., Jim Raby (Sue) of Indio, Calif., and Bob Raby (Melanie), of Bremerton, Wash. Mary is also survived by her sisters-in-law Becky (Larry) Johnson of Elma, Wash., and Mona Dilley of Elma, Wash., her brothers-in-law Gene Bristow of Carmel, Calif., and Tony Bristow of Aberdeen, Wash., and her grandchildren who were a joy to her, Wesley and Mariah Allen of Elma, Wash., Tyler and Mary Jane Bristow of the family home, JJ, Mercedes and Holly Leonard of Elma, Wash., and Patience Bristow of Elma, Wash.
Mary also had several nieces, nephews and extended family. Arrangements are entrusted to Miller Woodlawn Funeral Home in Bremerton, Wash. To sign the online guestbook or to share memories please visit:
www.dignitymemorial.com/miller-woodlawn-funeral-home.
A celebration of life is planned for July.
“Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.”
