MARY LOU DRIVER

Our Mom, Mary Lou Driver, passed away Feb. 18th.  She was born Jan. 16 ^th , 1932, to John Major & Elsie Fountain, joining two older brothers Jack & Bill.  She lived much of her 90 years on the family homestead near Jared.  She & her brothers spent lots of time farming, but also enjoyed boating & water skiing on the river.

She attended 12 years of school & graduated from Cusick in 1950 as Valedictorian of her class. She went on to Washington State University (WSC then) for four years graduating with a degree in Business in 1954.

In 1956 she married our Dad, Donald Driver and they spent a short time living in Olympia where she worked at the Capital.  Our Dad & she had lots of big dreams & ambition; they returned to Usk to join our Grandpa in growing Driver Ranch and expanding it to Moses Lake, WA.  Mom was a farmer/rancher through & through.  While she was a fine cook, the outdoors was her passion.  In between all the farming, they had the four of us (Patty, Terry, Janet & Ken).  Mom worked side by side with Dad every day on the ranch --- we all did.  Our playhouses were built out of hay bales & toys included chasing field mice.  Dad passed away of leukemia in 1966, leaving Mom with 4 young kids to raise, and she & Grandpa with ranches to run & pay for.  Grandpa always treated her like his daughter, and Dad's siblings treated her as a sister.

We moved in with our Grandma & Grandad Fountain when Dad passed away, & they, along with our Uncle Jack & Aunt Lorrie shared a part in getting us raised up.

Mom's Business degree came in handy – she took on working & managing H&R Block offices in Spokane during tax season, hired neighbors to feed the cows at Usk, Grandpa kept some cows in Moses Lake, she leased out some of the cows, and with help from her brother, Jack, she managed to make it all work.

Her favorite place was on the ranch—in a swather, driving a feed truck, chasing cows – whatever a day on the Driver Ranch would bring.  The most important things in her life weren't things – she loved her kids and maybe even more, all of her grandkids and great grandkids.  If there was a sporting event, fair event, or whatever the occasion – when it involved their participation, she was there.  Family gatherings with both sides of our family were always a priority….she loved them.

Mom had a severe stroke in 2015, and while it was pretty debilitating, it didn't stop her from watching events, being at family gatherings & spending time with her family.

She taught us so much – by living the way we all should & making sure we knew the difference.  She liked to laugh & did often….she also instilled hard work & perseverance in us, along with determination, caring & compassion.   She accepted Jesus as her Savior, and we are grateful she is whole again in His presence.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, her parents, and her brothers.  She is survived by her four children Patty (Jim Perry), Terry (Kelly Driver), Janet (John Johnson), Ken (Amanda Driver), and her sister-in-law, Delores Fountain.  She had 9 grandkids (Karyn, Susie, & Jessica; Tera, Don, & Kaleigh; and Brody, Kutter, & Spayne), as well as her loved stepgrandaughter Kimberly, 14 great grandchildren…numerous nieces & nephews.  Also, her special helper, LaRee Sheridan.

Thank you all for sharing her life in our community and blessing ours.  In memory of mom, donations may be made to the Usk Community Club, C/O Barb McGill, P.O. Box 343, Usk, WA 99180, or your favorite charity.

A Celebration of life will be held Friday, Feb. 25 ^th , 1 p.m.  the Dalkena Community Church 425961 State Route 20 Newport, WA 99156

Sherman-Campbell Funeral & Cremation Services in Newport, WA is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at shermancampbell.com .