Obituary

Mae Kniffin, 98, passed away at home on July 20, 2018 with family by her side.

Mae was born in Minot, North Dakota to Thomas and Anne Williams and lived on the “Southside” (as she would refer to it) of Bellingham from the age of 3. She worked in the hospitality industry and as a waitress for many years, retiring from the Horseshoe Café at the age of 82. Mae was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Catholic Daughters, and the Rome Grange for many years, and after retirement, she volunteered in the gift shop at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Mae was married to Ray Brooks in the spring of 1945 while he was on leave from the Navy. Ray returned to his ship, the U.S.S. Indianapolis, and was killed three months later when the ship was torpedoed.

Mae found happiness once more when she married Dan Kniffin on May 18, 1957 and they had two children, Rae Anne Thon (Tim) and Dianne Kelmis (David). Throughout their marriage, Mae and Dan and their girls were very involved with outdoor activities, including riding and caring for their horses. Summers were spent in the hay fields, and many days ended in a family picnic. Family was very important to Mae.

Mae was preceded in death by both her husbands, her parents, and all her siblings: Joe Williams, Blanche Hodge, Bob Williams, Kit Dunlap, Harry Williams, and Jim Williams.

In addition to her daughters, Rae Anne Thon (Tim) and Dianne Kelmis (David), she is survived by her (five) grandchildren: Sara Woods (Jacob), Kyle Thon (Carli), Kali Colwell (Brandon), Mariah Mae Kelmis (Sam Carlton), and Daniel Kelmis (Amanda), and by her (fourteen) great-grandchildren: Beckett and Greyson Woods; Olive and Rosie Mae Thon; Dustin, Dominic, Dexter and Charlotte Mae Colwell; Solomon and Eleanor Mae Kelmis-Carlton; and Jackson, Jude, Jade and Jasper Kelmis.

Mae also has cousins, nieces, and nephews who held a very special place in her heart.

It was a blessing that Mae was able to be cared for at home by her daughter and son-in-law, Dianne and David, until her death. They took such good care of her and loved her so.

A memorial mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 3, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, followed by burial at 12:00pm and a reception at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale.