Mabel Mackey

Mabel Mackey, long-time resident of Carnation, WA passed away on April 5, 2012 at the age of 95. Born to Alfred and Linda Riley in Maytown, WA on March 15, 1917 her family moved to the Snoqualmie Valley in 1927, settling in Stillwater. She graduated from Tolt Union High School in 1934, where she played girls’ first team basketball. After working at the Colonial Inn in Fall City she headed far north to Cordova, Alaska where she met her future husband Oliver Mackey, who was fishing commercially in Bristol Bay. They were married October 15, 1938 and welcomed daughter Jeanie in July 1939 before moving to Naknek. In 1945 they returned – to Carnation and remained in the Valley.Active in community affairs, Mabel was a member of the Carnation Sportsman Club, Tolt Congregational Church and a Life Member of Sno-Valley Senior Center. A Charter Member of the Tolt Historical Society, she was its secretary for 19 years. She always attended annual Pioneer Picnics and later Tolt High School reunions. An especially dear circle of friends formed the Sew What Club to which she belonged until its disbanding. In the mid 1950s she took a job as checker at Paar’s IGA Store in Carnation.Traveling was another enjoyment–trips with Oliver to Mexico, Australia, Europe, Hawaii. California and Las Vegas. On their first trip to Finland they were accompanied by daughter Jeanie, while a second visit in 1988 was to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Their last excursion to Alaska was when Oliver received an award from Bristol Bay Historical Society. She and Oliver had 67 years of marriage before his death in 2006 and she remained independently in their home until just before her final birthday.Mabel was preceded in death by her parents, husband Oliver, sisters Ruth Ann Anderson, Norma Paar and Joyce Anderson and brothers Lenvil, Leon, Chet and Jack.She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Jeanie and Fritz Magdlin of North Bend, WA; grandsons Mark Magdlin (Lynn) of Preston, WA; Alec Magdlin (Kristy) of Ellensburg, WA; great grand-daughters Samantha, Sabrina and Nicole; sister Geneva Dodge of San Mateo, CA; brothers Ralph Riley of Snoqualmie, WA and Sam Riley of North Bend, WA as well as many nieces and nephews.A reception will be held on May 26th, 2-5 pm, at Sno-Valley Senior Center, Carnation. She has asked that any memorials in her name be directed to the Tolt Historical Society, Box 226, Carnation, WA 98014. Family online guest book at www.flintofts.com.