Mary Ellen Wilson was born in Glendale, CA March 27, 1939 and lost her battle with vascular dementia on June 11, 2017. She fought a brief battle while she resided at Windriver Assisted Living and was from Maple Valley, WA. She was surrounded by her family until our Lord and Savior called her home.
She lived a full life and was a true fighter battling and surviving cancer twice. A graduate of Edmonds High School ~ class of 1957. She married her high school sweetheart, James E. Shipman.
Mary Ellen loved the finer things in life and traveled the world. She had many careers but managed to obtain her real estate license and was an interior designer. Mom owned her own interior design company, was an award winner in Seattle’s Street of Dreams. One of her passions was showing exotic cats and a member of CFA. To say she loved quilting is an understatement.
Mary Ellen was a member of the Covington Quilters of Maple Valley and produced many beautiful pieces. She loved to give back and was a CASA advocate.
She was immensely proud of her family members who have served their country and included her brother (Robert Harrison/USMC); son (Brian Shipman/USN) and grandsons (Zachary Shipman/USN, Aaron Wescovich/USN and Taylor Wescovich/USN).
Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her father, Raymon Edgar Harrison of Gallatin, MO; mother, Mary Elizabeth Harrison (Miles) of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and her spouse, Bruce Reid Wilson of Seattle, WA. She is survived by her brother, Pastor Robert Harrison of Lincoln City, OR; sister, Louise Heap of Poplar Grove, AK; daughter, Diane Marie Wescovich (Shipman) of Nine Mile Falls, WA; son, Brian Lee Shipman of Deer Park, WA; grandchildren, Aaron M. Wescovich of Groton, CT, Taylor J. Wescovich of Bremerton, WA, Zachary J. Shipman of Gulfport, MS, Jamie K. Shipman of Deer Park, WA and great-grandchild, Autumn Rose Shipman of Gulfport, MS.
Mom chose not to have memorial services, but requested to have her ashes spread on Mount Rainer ~ she loved being from the Northwest!
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to Hospice of Spokane or National Breast Cancer Foundation in memory of her. Additionally, the family wishes to express their deepest thanks and gratitude to the staff at Windriver Assisted Living. They provided her with wonderful loving care and treated her with the utmost respect and dignity.
You were a very complex person, mom, sister, and grandmother and will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Love you Mom! Rest in peace MiMi!!
