Miriam Ferrin Specht's Obituary
Miriam “Mimi” Ferrin Kelly was born at home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 23, 1920. She was the only child of William Thomas Kelly and Elisa Perez-Arce Kelly.
Mimi travelled extensively with her parents as her father was an officer in the Army. She lived in Hawaii before it became a state and at the Panama Canal. She attended ULCA where she studied English with the goal of becoming a teacher. She did not complete her studies as she chose to marry Murval instead, for which she never looked back. She worked at Lockheed as a secretary during World War II.
Mimi met the love of her life at a USO dance. She and Murval were later married at Camp Barkley, Texas on December 19, 1942. They stayed in Abilene, Texas for several years where Murval went to Officer Candidate School and he was commissioned during that tour. While here their first child, William (Tom), was born. In 1945, they left for Cap Cod, Massachusetts where Murval instructed troops where Mimi stoked the coal stove that provided heat and water for the building. Murval then went and spent 2 years in Korea. Presidio was their next station where their second child, Michael, was born. They left for Fort Sam Houston, Texas where he trained for hospital administration. From there they were stationed in Atlanta and after several years they returned to San Antonio where their third child, Sallee was born. Soon they packed up for a three-year tour to Germany. Upon returning to the states, they went to Ft. Meade, Maryland. They trekked across the country to Fitzsimmons Hospital in Denver where they spend three years. Next, they packed up and headed further afield to Okinawa for a three year tour. They returned to the states and were stationed at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. While at Madigan, Mimi was president of the Officers Wives Club. They went back to Fitzsimons Hospital where he retired. They returned to Olympia where they build their home on the bluffs above Puget Sound.
Mimi was preceded in death by Murval on October 28, 1994. They were married for 52 years. She was also preceded in death by their son Michael on January 15, 2009.
Mimi loved to play bridge, mahjongg and bunko. She was an accomplished organist and weaver.
Mimi celebrated her 100th birthday with a virtual party attended by children, grandchildren and great grandchildren located in the US and Japan. She is survived by her son William “Tom” and daughter Sallee. She has 11 Grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
Mimi had been living at Julian Estates in South Hill, Washington where she was a charter resident. After a brief illness, she passed peacefully at Tacoma General Hospital on January 19, 2021. There will be a graveside service on February 12, 2021 at 12:30 PM at Mountain View Cemetery, Lakewood, Washington.
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