Obituary: Wilson, Mary Shields
Age 92
Born in Spokane to Mary Belle and Frederick Shields, Mary spent her entire life dedicated to family and the community of Spokane.
Her leadership skills were evident as early as high school where she was elected the first female student body president at Lewis & Clark High School.
She graduated from Vassar College with degrees in philosophy and English literature.
In 1946 she married Frederick Wilson, Jr. and raised two daughters, Kathy Wilson of Arlington, VA and Carol Wilson of Spokane.
Mary was a well known Spokane leader with an amazing list of accomplishments: President and Outstanding Sustainer for the Junior League of Spokane; Board member of the YWCA, United Way, Spokane Community Mental Health Center, American Cancer Society, St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral and many more.
She served six years on the Sacred Heart Medical Center Board and was Chair two different times.
Most notably, Mary was appointed by Governor Dan Evans to serve as Trustee for Eastern Washington University.
Mary loved spending the night in a dorm with students and going to classes with them the next day.
She quickly became well known and well loved by the entire University.
Spokesman-Review staff writer Dorothy Powers (another Spokane legend) wrote a column about Mary’s dedication to her community and noted her unique manner, “Somehow she manages a rare combination of charm with candor.”
The more Mary did for Spokane, the more she was asked to do.
She generously shared her home for meetings and gatherings, and became a role model for younger women wanting to learn leadership skills.
Her gracious treatment of everyone was unwavering.
One can never forget her resounding “I love you!”
at the end of every phone call.
Mary was preceded in death by Fred Wilson in 2007.
Besides her two daughters, Kathy and Carol, Mary is survived by son-in-law Mike Wilson, Jeffrey and Trisha Wilson, Chicago, IL, and Michael and Laura Wilson, Spokane, and five great grandchildren: Juliana, Colette, Finley, Bennett and Addison Wilson.
Funeral services will be held at The Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 31.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be sent to Providence Sacred Heart Foundation, EWU Foundation, or the Junior League of Spokane.