Mary Lou Rich

RICH — Mary Lou (Carrier), 90; born July 8, 1929, Ellensburg, Washington; died June 6, 2020, Walla Walla, Washington. Surviving: sons and daughters-in-law, Lawson "Allen" and Janet (Maes) Rich, Battle Ground, Washington; Stuart and Kirstin (Bolander) Rich, Lake Tapps, Washington; Brian Rich, College Place, Washington; daughter, Margery Rich, San Gabriel, California; and 8 grandchildren.

Mary Lou was married to pastor Harold Rich for 63 years before his passing in 2015. They both graduated from Pacific Union College one year apart and began their ministry in the Southern California Conference. They had Margery and Lawson before being called to the Hawaiian mission in 1959. They returned to the mainland in 1967 with Stuart and Brian having been added to the family during their years on Molokai. While raising her four children, she was at various times; home and school president, a part-time teacher at Lynwood Academy (during Harold's years in teaching and school administration) and a leader of periodic Sabbath School workshops introducing new teaching materials for children's sabbath school classes. She was a kind and cheerful person to all who knew her, and will be greatly missed. They finished their pastoral ministry in the PUC Village Church and spent their remaining years near Brian and his family in Walla Walla.

Photo caption: Taken at her 90th birthday celebration in the Summer of 2019. Children, grandchildren, extended family and friends were in attendance to help celebrate her life. She loved the 8 years the family lived on the Hawaiian islands, and a fresh lei or flowers from Hawaii were always a special treat for her.