Mary Louise (Jones/Redding) Hall, 89, of Kent, passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at the Valley Medical Center in Renton, Washington. Cause of death was cardiac arrest.
She was born May 26, 1928 in Santa Cruz, California to Everett Edgar Jones and Mary Ellen (Kenney) Jones. Then things got interesting.
At the age of five, her family moved from California to the Pacific NW, eventually landing north of Seattle in Alderwood Manor, where she attended Edmonds HS, graduating in 1947. While attending high school, “Jonesie,” as she was known then, worked as a uniformed usher at Seattle’s 5th Ave Theater, and served as a wartime messenger for the US Navy at Pier 91.
After graduation, she married John Prevost Redding and lived in Seattle where she gave birth to her three sons, John Michael Prevost Redding, James Patrick Redding, and Joseph Daniel Redding. Divorced and remarried to John Lester Hall in 1957, she settled in Eagle Point, Oregon where Shannon Mary Hall, her daughter, was born. She divorced John Hall in 1981 and within a few years, found her way to Kent.
All the children and offspring of her former spouses were more than an extended/blended family, and as dear to her as her own. Her other children include Christy Hall-Schufele, Laurie Hall, and Kathy (Redding) Luessen. The entire family was further bound together by her daily “Hi There” emails which posted family news, upcoming events, and reports on her beloved Mariners and Seahawks.
Mary Lou’s life demonstrated a commitment to others, as well: Cub Scout den mother; Blue Bird leader; a sorority sister in Epsilon Sigma Alpha, Beta Nu Chapter; volunteer Eagle Point city court clerk; a Captain in the US Air Force auxiliary Civil Air Patrol whose mission was search and rescue; a public relations volunteer, then paid staffer at Valley Medical Center where she was honored as Employee of the Month in April 1997; a charter member of Olympia’s Women in Kiwanis; and later presented the Legion of Honor award for 25 years service from the Kent Kiwanis where she continued to serve until her death.
But perhaps her most telling concern for others was shown through her daily kindness toward all—her friendly chatter, her cheerful assistance, and, when necessary, her determined advocacy for the common good. She had an upbeat nature, a sense of humor, and a natural curiosity that pushed her to ask questions and learn new things her entire life. For these she had been, and continues to be, a remarkable and aspiring influence on all who knew her.
Mary Lou is survived by her sister, Patricia Hendricks of Kent, and her growing tribe of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.
Services will be arranged at a later date.
Remembrances can be made to The American Heart Association or a charity of your choice and would be very much appreciated.
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