Mary O. Richard's Obituary
Beginnings
Mary Odessa Richard was born in Pierce County, Tacoma, WA where she lived most of her life. A graduate of Lincoln High School, her parents George Adelbert Sheatsley and Pauline (Rehn) were extremely proud of her when she decided to serve her country. Mary enlisted in the United States Air Force in Seattle, Washington on August 30, 1954 and after serving two years was discharged in Colorado on November 23, 1956.
Patriotic
Something about military life caused Mary to glow – she was radiant after she joined the air force. Apparently, a certain young man was paying attention to the girl who stood out from the crowd. She met T/Sgt Jack L. Richard and it didn’t take long for the couple to fall in love. They married the year Mary left the service. The couple was delighted to welcome their first child, Lee, into the world a year later. In many ways, it was like a vacation when the couple moved to Paris, France where Jack was stationed for four years. This was the country where her other two sons, Robert and Jeff were born. When the family returned to America, they made their home in Dover, Delaware for a while. Mary and Jack were also delighted to have a daughter, Karen to complete their family. The young couple was together only twelve years when Jack passed away leaving Mary to raise their four children.
Mother and Father
At home in Tacoma, Mary rose to the challenge of being both mom and dad – a single parent of four youngsters – with gusto. A strict disciplinarian who “put up with no guff” according to her daughter Karen, she was an active participant in her children’s lives. The Gold Acorn award, a high honor, was presented to her for her remarkable service in the Parent Teacher Association. She became involved in extra curricular activities serving as both Junior Girl Scout Leader and Cub Scout Leader. Raising her children and being a part of their childhood was everything to Mary. Without Jack, she leaned on them and them on her. She was so proud of their every accomplishment especially their graduations from college. It especially touched her heart to see the promotions of her son, Robert, in the air force.
Career Librarian
Mary was no stranger to adversity. After all, she had been raised in a home filled with love but also with silence as both her parents were deaf. She experienced prejudice and discrimination but rose above it and enjoyed whatever peace she could find. Mary had learned that life was not easy and one had to work for the good things in life. She went back to school at Clover Park Technical College. Proficient in audio visual equipment and computers, Mary soon became a librarian for the county which she served for twenty five years. It was not unusual to see Mary curled up with a book, sipping a Pepsi, perhaps deciding what kind of a review she would give and if she would recommend the book to her clients at the county library. Her love of reading and her open mind made her a natural at her job and to her it was worth every minute – especially when she was getting paid for it!
Seafood Lover
When she wasn’t watching cooking shows on television, Mary was in the kitchen whipping up a delicious chicken dish or other family favorites. On special occasions, her mouth watering choice was seafood – from lobster and shrimp to crab and salmon – she relished cooking it but absolutely delighted in eating it.
Spirited Traveler
The widowed librarian with the beautiful smile and pure soprano voice was as pleasant as she was sassy at times. Mary was a good-hearted, spirited woman whose inner beauty could not be hidden. Her love of family and friends was enduring as was her adoration of movies and plays at the Tacoma Musical Playhouse. She was interested in and involved with the Tacoma RAI, Citizens Band Radio, and the Tacoma Narrows Moonrakers. After the children were grown, she and her sister Helen would have such fun travelling. The women enjoyed excursions to most of the states and South Seas islands but Mary’s favorite destinations were Hawaii and Tahiti.
Mary’s Legacy
Mary Odessa Richard was seventy-six when she passed away at home from renal disease. She was predeceased by her husband T/Sgt. Jack L. Richard and her parents George Adelbert Sheatsley and Pauline Sheatsley (Rehn). She is survived by her sister Helen, sons Lee, Jeff, Robert (Lisa) and daughter Karen , six grandchildren Jacquelynn (Matt), Charli, Rob, Stefaine, Jordan and Jason and four great-grandchildren Leilani, Mackenzie, Henry and Alexis.
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