Mary Janice Waites

Mary Janice Waites returned to her Savior in the early hours of September 25, 2023, at her home in Moses Lake, WA. Mary was born November 25, 1934 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Ralph Webster and Effie Pearl Tawzer, and was the second of two children. Mary is survived by her husband, William of Moses Lake, as well as 5 children- William S (Julie), Viki Anderson (Paul, deceased), Angie Waites Leavitt (Dan) all of Moses Lake, Lori Hansen (Andrew) of West Richland WA, and K Webb Waites (Shauna) of Moses Lake. She is also survived by Ed and Annette Sanchez of Lehi, Utah, as well as 25 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and a niece and 2 nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Stanley Tawzer, a granddaughter Devan Hansen, and a son-in-law Paul Anderson. Mary spent most of her early years in Iowa where her father farmed, plowing behind a horse until her mother convinced him to buy a tractor. The family relocated to California for a few years where her father worked in the Navy yard until the pull of the land lured them back to Iowa. After graduating from Underwood High School in Council Bluffs, she and her parents returned to California where she met the love of her life, William (Bill) at a New Years Eve party. Although they were both set up to be there with other people, it only took one look and the other dates were unceremoniously dumped for each other. After dating for almost 2 years, they sealed the deal and were married on November 16, 1957 in Alameda, California. After setting up housekeeping in Sacramento, Mom worked for the California Highway Patrol as a data processor. She had an error rate of near zero. Since Bill was enlisted in the US Air Force, their future was full of travel, transfers, and raising the 5 children. Anxious for children it was 5 years before Bill decided to make his appearance, followed a year and a half later by Viki while Dad was stationed in Charleston, SC. The next transfer to Sweetwater, TX brought Angie, and then after another transfer to Othello, WA Lori showed up. The family lived “on the base” at Moses Lake while Dad commuted back and forth to Othello. The spring of 1972 brought a transfer to Keflavik, Iceland. Dad had to report several months before the family could join him, and so they continued living in Moses Lake until Mom packed us up and herded us ½ way around the world to Iceland. Arriving there in June, we were fascinated by the land of the midnight sun, and learned to play as long as Mom would let us before forcing us into bed when it was still light outside. Webb joined the family in September of that year, and the family was complete. After two years in Iceland, we were transferred stateside and landed in Rantoul, Illinois, a small town approximately 120 miles south of Chicago. We landed in New Jersey, and then drove all the way to Rantoul. We had an orange Volkswagon Bus dubbed the Great Pumpkin. After only a year in Illinois, we were surprised to learn we would be returning to Iceland, this time for 3 years. While Dad went ahead of us, we crammed into a 2 bedroom apartment with our Grandma Tawzer in Wheaton, Illinois, and started the school year there. In the fall, our amazing mother again drug us all the way to Iceland. She was so strong and kind and never complained to us- other than about our behavior- and was determined to keep it together. In Iceland, we spent a year living off base in local housing, then moved on base. After 3 years there, Dad decided to retire, and we returned to Moses Lake WA in 1978. Mom and Dad bought a home and spent the next several years raising kids, with all that entails. Mom rejoined the workforce in the early 80’s, working in data processing at Samaritan Hospital until she retired in 1999. January of 2002 found Mom and Dad driving across the country to serve a mission for the church in the New York Rochester Mission. They loved their time there, making lifelong friends and many wonderful memories. After the mission, Mom and Dad came home and jumped into being involved with their growing family, attending concerts, football, basketball, and baseball games, dance recitals, having Sunday dinners at the house, and being wonderful grandparents to all of the grandchildren. Mom loved all people, but she adored her grandchildren and great grands, and was always thrilled when we visited. Mom will always be an example of perseverance, strength, faith, and unconditional love. Her light will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Interment held at Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Friday, October 6, 2023 at 9:45 am. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Grape Drive Chapel, 925 N Grape Drive, Moses Lake, WA 98837. Family will greet friends at the chapel from 10:00-11:00 am.

Mary Janice Waites

November 25, 1934 - September 25, 2023