Mary passed Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, at Liberty Shores Retirement Community of Poulsbo after a courageous battle with COVID 19. Mary was born in Lynden, Washington June 30th, 1930 and was the daughter of Joseph and Florence Nelson.
A shy teenager, Mary was asked to sing before the school and to demonstrate how to make the perfect angel food cake. (She would be embarrassed to hear this praise repeated now.) She went on to live with a song in her heart and a gift for cooking and baking. Mary was a country girl from a dairy farm in Bow, Washington, who rose early to do chores, and came straight home after school to milk and tend the cows. She sewed her own clothes, sang beautifully and played the piano. She never seemed aware of her own stunning beauty.
She graduated from Burlington Edison High School in 1948 and went on to earn a teaching degree at Western Washington State College. It was there she met Robert Woodman. They married June 14, 1953, settled on Bainbridge Island, and raised 5 children: John, Kathy, David, Janice and Ruth.
There is a special place in heaven for mothers of 5 large, athletic children. We were regularly greeted on arrival home from school with fresh baked bread or cookies. She canned, preserved and froze enough food to feed the US army. She sewed countless dresses, shirts and pants. She took us to music lessons, sporting events, choir concerts, swimming lessons, and horse shows. She loved being a mother. She had exceptional artistic skill which shone through her painting, calligraphy, flower arrangements and gardening. She loved books and reading. She loved nature and the changing seasons.
Mary was also a faithful member of the Bainbridge First Baptist Church for over 60 years. She fed hundreds with her world-class lasagna, casseroles, homemade bread, cookies, and the best pies known to mankind. She added her beautiful voice to the church choir and taught years of Sunday School classes. Her life was a true reflection of the fruit of the spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Self Control.
Mary is preceded in death by a brother, J. Edward Nelson of Lyman, and a sister, Eleanor L. Davis of Sedro Woolley.
Mary Woodman is survived by her husband of 68 years, Robert Woodman (residing at Liberty Shores); son John Woodman of Port Townsend (Priscilla, grandchildren Laura Woodman and Charlie Woodman); daughter Kathy Countryman of Bainbridge Island (Rick, grandchildren Katie Starks and Kevin Countryman, great-grandchildren Mary and Justin Starks, and Daniel and Kayla Countryman); son David Woodman of Poulsbo (Janet, grandchildren Angie Smith, Bob Woodman, and Buddy Woodman, and great-grandchildren Brady and Cosy Smith and Davey and Everett Woodman); daughter Janice Hill of Poulsbo (Mike, grandchildren Britt Beahan, Claire Viter, and Brenton Thomas, great-grandchildren Jayden, Paxton and Blakely Beahan and Jack and McKenzie Viter); daughter Ruth Griffith of Bothell (Adam, grandchildren Jason and Jessica.)
A service is postponed to a later date, due to COVID 19 concerns. The family would greatly appreciate your memories on the Tribute Wall at cookfamilyfuneralhome.com. Please send any donations to the Bainbridge First Baptist Church.
