Mary Ann Markman

Mary Ann Markham, 90, died February 14, 2007 at her Ilwaco, Washington residence. One of five children born to Carlton and Mary (Doerner) Fuller, she was born January 16, 1917 in Isabel, South Dakota where her father operated the local hardware store. Mary Ann grew up in Isabel and had many wonderful memories of those years. After she graduated from Isabel High School in 1935 she moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota and there received her nursing diploma from Saint Luke Hospital school of nursing in 1938. She was called west to Seattle to care for an elderly aunt. In late in 1939 she was told of an opening at Ilwaco Hospital and her employment began there on January 6, 1940. Starting wage: $55.00 a month and board. Mary continued working at the "old" hospital and at the "new" hospital when it was completed in 1978. She also worked for Dr. L.C. Neace at his clinic in Ilwaco. For five years in the mid 1950s she lived on the Quinault Indian Reservation at Tahola where she nursed and her husband was a fish buyer. May Ann was a member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Auxiliaries in Ilwaco and the "Old Guard" an informal group of retired Ilwaco Hospital employees. For many years Mary Ann volunteered at the Ilwaco Heritage Museum and as a remedial reader at Long Beach elementary school. In years past she enjoyed traveling both at home and abroad. Mary Ann always said that she was blessed with "a wonderful childhood, a profession I loved, a good marriage and a family who have been a joy to me". She and Ernest Markham, son of pioneer Ilwaco residents, were married in 1941 and he died in 1965. Surviving are daughters Mary Markham of Ilwaco and Nancy Holmes of Long Beach; son Dan'l Markham of Moor Park, CA; sister Joan Newvine of Portland, OR; 18 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by siblings Helen Pexa, Frances Springhetti and Bud Fuller. Funeral service will be Saturday, February 24, 2007, 1:00 PM at the Peninsula Church Center in Seaview. Following a graveside service at Ilwaco Cemetery a reception will be held at the Ilwaco Heritage Museum. The casket will be open Friday, 10 AM until 5 PM at Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, Long Beach. Those wishing may make memorial donations to Harbors Home Hospice, 210 7th St., Hoquiam, WA 98550 or the Ilwaco Heritage Museum, PO Box 153, Ilwaco, WA 98624.