Mary L. Smith-Hatton-Simmons, 79, Grays Harbor resident and instructor at Grays Harbor College, died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, at Riverside Place in Hoquiam, Washington. Mary was born in Hoquiam, on Feb. 8, 1942, to Beryle and Stanley Smith. She was raised as a young child in Pendleton, Oregon and then in Sunnyside, Washington. The family moved to O’Leary Creek, Washington in the early ’50s, on the family farm owned by her aunt Charlotte.
She attended Ocosta High School and was selected to play flute with the Grays Harbor Symphony when she was a freshman. While at Ocosta she met and later married Jack D. Hatton on March 8, 1958, and had four children: Jacqui, Steven, Shelly and Bruce. Jack died in 1972.
Mary then focused on her kids and her schooling. She attended Grays Harbor College, The Evergreen State College and finished her doctorate in toxicology at the University of Washington and worked in their laboratory until returning to Ocosta in 1991. She then worked at G. H. College as an instructor in math and science until her retirement in 2008.
She was married to David W. Simmons in 1980. They enjoyed fishing and camping and kids and grandkids. David passed away in 2006.
Mary spent her life involved in churches, as an organist/vocalist and active volunteer in many local churches. Mary was a professional dog trainer and volunteered as a 4-H leader in the dog program where she taught many in her ways of dog training.
Mary was preceded in death by her mother and father as well as brother, Lee Smith and sisters, Sally Fenide and Beth Krause. Mary’s first-born granddaughter, Amy Leana Benham also preceded her in death in 1986.
She is survived by her four children: Jacqui Zanotelli, Steve (Shannon) Hatton, Shelly (Mike) Riley and Bruce (Lisa) Hatton. She also had nine grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Family asks that you make any donation to PAWS of Aberdeen.
Inurnment will take place at Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen, Washington at a later date.
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
