Mary Hathaway

Mary Alice (Carlson) Hathaway, 87, passed away Sept. 2, 2016, at the Hospice House in Hayden from complications of the cancer multiple myeloma. She was the daughter of Rudolph and Ellen Carlson. When she started school, her mother created the spelling “Marialys” to ensure that she would be called by both names and friends still use that spelling.

Mary Alice was born on June 11, 1929, and raised on a small farm in north Coeur d’Alene where Home Depot is now located. Her grandparents operated the Carlson Dairy just across Government Way from her home and her father worked there.

Mary Alice was a person of many achievements. She was an excellent student and a fine musician playing the flute, piccolo and violin in the Coeur d’Alene High School band and orchestra. During a summer vacation after high school, she worked at the Weeks Field, the city airport located near her home, and took flying lessons to earn her pilots license.

Following high school, she attended Reed College in Portland for a year and a half before attending Kinmen’s Business College in Spokane where she completed the secretarial studies program. She worked as a legal secretary for many years before starting her family. Later she continued her education at the University of Idaho where she earned a bachelor’s degree in office management in 1971.

In 1946, she met Cecil Hathaway, a high school classmate, and they were married in 1950. They had four sons. When the boys were out of high school, she resumed her career as a legal secretary, spending the last 15 years with the legal firm of Bielenberg, Anderson, and Walker in Moscow.

Mary Alice’s proudest achievement was her four sons who all matured to be gentlemen of fine character. Many hours were spent and many miles were traveled following their involvement in sports.

Mary Alice is survived by her husband of 66 years, Cecil; and three sons, Curt, Brent and Shawn; as well as grandson, Troy, and granddaughters, Brynn, Brooklyn and Baeley. A brother, Russell, died three years before she was born. Her parents died in 1978 and 1983, and son Dain, in 1987.

A private burial service will be held for family members only, but a reception will be held for family and friends at noon Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. English Funeral Chapel is in charge of pending funeral arrangements and burial will be next to her son’s grave at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens.

Donations to the Hospice House or other charity of the donor’s choice will be appreciated.