May 15, 1934 – March 6, 2024
It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, Mary Lawnin Moseley Armstrong on March 6th, 2024, at the age of 89. Born on May 15th, 1934 in Evanston, Illinois, Mary went on to live an extraordinary life filled with adventure, travel, sports, friends and family.
She attended Burroughs High School in St. Louis, Missouri, Skidmore College, then transferred to the University of Wisconsin from which she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. Her summers as a camp counselor at Camp Minne- Wonka shaped the rest of her life as she developed a love of canoeing, hiking and the outdoors. She continued that love of nature with her family in the Pacific Northwest, leading them twice on long hikes across the Olympic National Park and multiple hikes in the Cascades.
As her three children were growing up on Mercer Island, Washington, the family fell in love with soccer. Much time was spent volunteering with the Mercer Island soccer club organizing uniforms, taking notes as secretary and beginning her coaching career. Mary helped coach the first girls club soccer team at Mercer Island High School and played on a Mercer Island women’s team until she was 55 years old.
Mary’s career was focused on education and she was an elementary aide in the Mercer Island School District for nearly 30 years, primarily working one on one with students. Many an Island resident will remember her role as “The Duty” on the playground and she had a reputation of being both strict and able to have fun while facilitating a quick pick up game during recesses at Island Park and Lakeridge elementary schools.
Mary loved being around young, active people and her house on Mercer Island had a constant buzz of young people in and out and much laughter during “Sunday Night Dinners.”
She lived the last 26 years in Winthrop, WA with her 2nd husband, Lyle Armstrong.
Surviving family include her husband Lyle Armstrong, children Mary Lee (Tom), Jeff (Julie) and Scott (Mary) and grandchildren Abigail, Kathryn, Jamie, Emma, Jace and Mia.
She was preceded in death by her parents Nelson and Dorothy Lawnin, brother Michael and former husband George.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Mary’s memory to the Okanogan Regional Humane (https://ok-humane.org/about). This reflects her passion that all dogs will be wanted and loved, and the contributions will continue her legacy of generosity.
I come here to find myself, it is so easy to get lost in the world. -John Burroughs
The Mountains are calling and I must go. -John Muir.
