Obituary

Mary F. Allen (Tsimshian, Haida), 85 years old, of Mount Vernon, WA was a loving mother, aunty, grandmother, and friend who walked into the forest (passed away) peacefully in her sleep on July 19, 2024. Mary had fallen on July 10, 2024, and broke her hip, she is no longer suffering in pain and has joined her ancestors. Mary shared her love and laughter with friends and family, she will be greatly missed.

Mary was born in Metlakatla, Alaska on June 17, 1939, to Cora and Perry Allen. Mary was raised in Metlakatla until she went to Mount Edgecumbe High School, a boarding school in Sitka, AK. There she met and later married Leonard Nannauck Sr., together they had three children, Leonard Paul, Karla Fay, and Sweetwater. Later, she was a common-law wife to Robert (Bob) Goddard for over thirty years.

Mary is remembered for her love of her family, and caring for her parents and grandmother as they became elderly. She coordinated family gatherings, holidays, and birthdays that will always be a source of joy to those who loved her. Mary had a great sense of humor and could see the humor in everyday circumstances, she enjoyed seeing family and friends smile and laugh.

Mary, Bob, and their friends would spend summers with all their children at fish camp at Kasaan, AK, or on vacations. They would spend 10 days catching, smoking, and jarring salmon to share with family. Other times they would take the Alaska Marine Highway state ferry to Seattle and spend several fun-filled weeks driving through Washington, Oregon, and California. Mary’s favorite saying was, “You have to live a little”. She meant that life is short, and we need to make the most of our time here. Mary did just that.

Mary was a loving grandmother, her only grandchild, Kenneth, was her pride and joy. She enjoyed caring for him, cooking and baking for him, and spoiling him to no end. It broke her heart when he died in 1998.

Mary is survived by her children, Leonard Paul Nannauck Jr., Karla Fay Lemus-Perez, and Sweetwater Nannauck. Mary is preceded in death by her grandmother Matilda (Gish) Fawcett, parents Cora and Perry Allen, Uncle Eddie Fawcett, siblings Betty Bryant, Francis Bryant, Josephine Bryant, Theodora ‘Teddy’ Eaton, Arlene Anniskett, nieces Marcee Hayden, Colleen Olsen, nephews Lloyd Cook, Michael Johnson, and her grandchild Kenneth Nannauck.

Gunal’cheesh (Thank you, we couldn’t have done it without you) to Darlene Cook, Florenda, Jamie, and staff for loving and caring for our mother, and making her elder years filled with peace and joy.

Friends and family are invited to reminisce and honor the life of Mary at the viewing on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, from 10 am to 11:30 am at Moles Funeral Home, 2465 Lakeway Dr, Bellingham, WA 98229. A graveside service will follow at 12 pm at Bayview Cemetery, 1420 Woburn Street, Bellingham WA 98229.