Mary Zell Saltz Manro
Mary Zell Saltz Manro of Mercer Island passed away peacefully on January 10, 2013 with family and friends by her side from complications of heart surgery; she fought a long and courageous battle. Born in Hayesville N.C. to the late Plato E Saltz and Willa Mae Mease Saltz She was preceded in death by brother Randal Lee Saltz, Sister Henrietta Anderson and niece Terry Saltz. Surviving are her brother James Russell Saltz, wife Scottie, Brother in law Harold Anderson, Sister in law Jean Mulkerin preceded in death by husband Jack, son Gregory Manro, grandsons , Monte and Oliver, Nephews Jim, Mike & Danny, nieces; Mellissa, preceded in death by husband Thomas, Cindy, husband Si, Amy, husband Mark, Linda & Donna. Great nephews Thomas, Jackson and Craig, Great nieces Jordan and Elizabeth Mary spent her childhood years in Hayesville before heading west after High school. She found her way to Seattle and worked in the dental care field and went on to manage a job placement agency. She was married to husband Jim for 39 years before he died of cancer in 2009. Mary and Jim spent their years together hiking and skiing in the mountains, sailing the waters of Puget sound and working endless hours in their always picture perfect yard. They lived many years on Mercer Island over 20 of which in the Cul-de-sac where she made lifelong friends and she was often called upon to dispense advice on all matters great and small. They donated many hours of service to Jim’s fraternity at the UW, Theta Xi, Jim as Treasurer and Mary as the unofficial “Mom” restoring order to all things in need of attention, no small task indeed. Mary loved children of any age, though she had a special fondness for the toddler crowd. She was a big presence in the lives of her grandsons Monte and Oliver. She was the guiding spirit that to this day burns bright in many a child that she tutored and inspired as she ran a day care for many years from her residence on the Island. Mary was first and foremost a caregiver. Over the years she would go to the aid of a friend or relative in the hospital to help nurture them back to health and provide strong emotional support. This event was repeated many times over the years from coast to coast often at great sacrifice to her health. She cared for her late husband Jim throughout his battle with cancer and his home hospice care. A Memorial celebration will be held Sunday, January 20th at 1:00 PM at her residence on Mercer Island. An additional service will be held in Hayseville, NC at Truett Memorial First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations be made to Youth Services of Mercer Island, Hopelink or a charity of your choice.
