Mary Elizabeth (Roller) McClung passed away of natural causes at her home on June 27, 2018. Mary was born on May 27, 1947 to William J. McClung III and Myra Jean Lee in San Mateo, CA. Her father, Bill, was sent to Korea to fight during the Korean Conflict and became listed as MIA. In 1958, the family moved to Mount Vernon, WA.
As a teenager, Mary was active in Mount Vernon Assembly, Order of Rainbow for Girls, and took her majority when she turned 20 years old. Mary graduated from Mount Vernon High School with honors in 1965 and in 1969 she graduated from Seattle University with a degree in nursing. After college she joined the Mount Baker Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and through her activities with Eastern Star, she again began working with the local Rainbow Assembly as an advisory board member, where she served for many years. Mary loved her career as a nurse and she enjoyed working at Skagit Valley Hospital and Northwest Orthopedic Surgeons. Throughout her nursing career she was active in promoting education for orthopedic nurses on a local and national level. She served on the board of directors for the National Association of Orthopedic Nurses. Mary's services in this capacity helped shape the growth and development of orthopedic nursing on a national level. She also served locally helping to organize educational programs and served in pivotal positions in her local chapter.
In 1997 Mary and her new business partner Sherry Black created Destinations Travel, which she operated for 16 years before retiring in 2013.
She took every opportunity to travel. On many of her trips to Hawaii she would stop in Honolulu to visit Punchbowl Cemetery where her father's name is
Listed on the memorial honoring the unknown soldiers who lost their lives. She also took many trips to Washington D.C. where she was active in the Coalition of Families of Korean and Cold War Action. On one trip she attended a dinner for POW's and MIA veterans and she met then President George Bush and Colin Powell. She was very excited about meeting General Powell. Mary traveled to Florida and the East Coast to visit family and friends as often as she could.
Mary genuinely cared for people. She was a kind person with lots of good wisdom to share and was great at giving people advice.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents William and Myra McClung and her step father Harry Roller. She is survived by many cousins and close friends, and her Siamese cat, Maggie. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.
Mary will be inurned at Hawthorne Memorial Park, Thursday, September 6, 2018, at 4:00 PM, all are welcome to come.
A party to celebrate the beautiful life of Mary McClung will be held Friday, September 7, 2018, 4:00 PM-6:00 PM at Bertelsen Winery on Starbird road (www.bertelsenwinery.com). This will be a casual gathering of friends and family sharing stories and comforting each other. Please dress casual: Muumuus, leis and wearing green to honor our friend.
Remembrances can be made to the Humane Society of Skagit County or any favorite charity in Mary's name.