Obituary: Hyatt, Mary
HYATT, Mary
October 25, 1917 -
March 13, 2016
Mary Boyle Hyatt, 98, passed away peacefully from natural causes at San Juan Villa in Port Townsend, WA with her children at her side.
Mary was born in Libby, MT to Mildred Elizabeth (Rogers) Hamel and David Parry Boyle.
The youngest of seven children, she grew up in Libby.
After spending one year of high school in Seattle, she returned to graduate from Libby High School and to care for her father.
She worked in her dad’s variety store, the KM (Kootenai Mercantile) store, and sang in a touring band.
Her lovely voice earned Mary a scholarship to Whitworth College majoring in voice performance.
She sang in the college choir, mixed quartet, sextet, and was a soloist.
She was also a soloist at Fourth Presbyterian (now Fourth Memorial) Church.
It was during this time that she met her future husband, Ellis Hyatt.
They were married in Spokane at the home of her college voice teacher, Winifred Hopkins; on December 23, 1942.
Ellis had recently been drafted into the Army Air Corps.
Mary was able to travel with him around the United States as he served in a finance department that stayed stateside and helped to close bases towards the end of World War ll.
Upon returning to Spokane, Ellis resumed his banking career at Old National Bank (now US Bank).
Mary held several jobs including working at Sybil’s Hat Shop, The Crescent department store, The Palace dress shop, and as a medical receptionist/assistant for Dr. Simon Seaburg and Dr. Irene Grieve.
Ellis and Mary built their home on the South Hill of Spokane and started their family.
Mary was active at First Presbyterian Church of Spokane singing in the choir for many years, taught Sunday school, was in the women’s association, and taught in the Barton School for adult literacy.
She also served as one of the first woman elders of that church.
She was a Campfire leader, Boy Scout den mother, and maintained an immaculate home and garden.
Mary and Ellis built a second home together at Sandpiper Shores on Priest Lake in Idaho.
They loved taking care of their cabin and small forest, boating, fishing, picking huckleberries and entertaining.
Ellis passed away in 2003.
Mary moved to the west coast to be closer to her children.
She lived in Port Angeles for six years and Port Townsend for the last six years.
She was preceded in death by all her siblings.
Her brothers and sisters were Della (Simon Kenneth) Beattie, Frank Byron “Bud” Boyle, Perry “Hap” (Birch) Boyle, Kenneth “Kenny” (Juanita) Boyle, Lois (Bernie) Langsdorf, and Nina (Henry “Hank”) Sleizer.
Mary is survived by her two children Richard “Rick” (Lori Cleaves) Hyatt of Seattle, and Martha (Dave) Hurd of Port Angeles; and four grandchildren: Heath and Rhys Hyatt and Ventsy and Svetlio Hurd.
Her family is grateful for her many loving care takers at San Juan Villa, Dr. Molly Parker, and Jefferson Healthcare Hospice.
A graveside gathering will take place Monday, April 4, at 2 p.m. at the Libby Cemetery in Libby, MT.
A celebration service is planned at First Presbyterian Church of Port Angeles on Friday, May 20, at 3 p.m. officiated by Pastor Ted Mattie.
Arrangements are being handled by funeral homes Drennan & Ford in Port Angeles and Schnackenberg & Nelson in Libby.
Donations may be made to Whitworth University Music Department, 300 West Hawthorne Road, Spokane, WA, 99251.