Mary Lee

Mary Lee

1928 – 2026

Mary Lee was born June 18, 1928 to Alvin Zabel and Mildred (Harvey) Zabel in Cushing. Later, she was joined by sisters Pat and Joelle, and what a trio they became! The family moved to Battle Creek, and grew up during the hardships of the depression. In 1942, they moved to Seattle, Washington to pursue job opportunities. Mary Lee graduated from Cleveland High School in 1945. After one year of college, she met J Wait Gailey, a hometown guy, and after a whirlwind romance, they married and moved back to Battle Creek and eventually back to the farm where Wait grew up. There, they raised four children: Randy, Karen, Rich, and Jon. Mary Lee enjoyed a life full of friends, activities, school events, and church. Initially, she worked in her home and learned to be a phenomenal cook (though she described knowing only how to make fudge when she first married). She later worked for a bank and then worked for Midwest Industries where she planned and executed events for the company, including executive lunches, weddings, parties, and fundraisers for 200-300 and managed the catering for 1000s who attended an annual airshow.

When Wait retired, the couple moved to Seattle to be near Mary Lee’s mother and sisters, a move Mary Lee embraced. Wait died in 1989, and Mary Lee retired in 1994. In 1996, she married an old friend from Battle Creek, Stanley Marshall, and moved to Portland. She and Stan had a wonderful life until he died in 2006. Mary Lee relished travel and adventure and completed a tandem skydive in her later 60s. In 2014, she moved to Olympia, WA to be closer to her children. Once again, she enjoyed a life full of friends and activities. She loved being near family and living where her grandchildren could visit. Mary Lee was full of life: vivacious, energetic, warm, and loving. She learned and grew with the times, staying in touch with current events and entertaining friends and family to the end.

Preceding her in death, were her husbands: J Wait Gailey (d 1989) and Stan Marshall (d 2006) and her son, Randall Gailey (d 1969), along with both of her beloved sisters, Pat Towle (d 2022) and Joelle Thomassen (d 2012).

She is survived by daughter, Karen Claussen of Lakewood, WA, son, Rich (Laurie) Gailey of Olympia, WA and son, Jon (Jane) Gailey of Port Orchard, WA. Mary Lee maintained a close relationship with Stan’s children: Douglas (Carol) Marshall and Sue (Gordon) Goodenow.  She left behind nine grandchildren, an ever-increasing number of great grandchildren, and numerous step grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, all of whom she treasured.

Mary Lee’s family suggests the following funds for memorial gifts:  

The Westminster Presbyterian Church Hope Village Ministry, a tiny house village that provides temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness, www.wpcoly.org/give. The Panorama Benevolent Fund,

www.panoramabenevolentfund.org.