Mary Taitano

Mary Olive Taitano of Oak Harbor passed away Dec. 25, 2008, at Island Hospital in Anacortes, closely surrounded by family members. She was 81 years old and will be missed by many in the days to come.

Mary was born on July 12, 1927, in Agana, Guam, to James and Gregoria Hudson. She was just a teenager when Guam became engulfed in World War II. While her father was taken to Japan as a POW, her family remained on the island throughout the war. Mary showed great courage during these years. In 1946, she moved to California where she stayed with her aunt.

On Oct. 11, 1947, she married Juan Cruz Taitano and they remained in that loving relationship for more than 61 years until her death. In 1956, Mary and Juan moved to Oak Harbor with their five children. They eventually had four more children while living in their Oak Harbor home. She and the family moved to Guam in 1979 and remained there until 1988 when they returned to the Northwest, living first on Vashon Island for a couple of years and then finally to their original home in Oak Harbor. No matter where they lived, countless friends and relatives have enjoyed the hospitality of Mary and her family.

Mary considered her baptism as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the year 1963 as one of the most important dates in her life. At that time, she publicly symbolized her dedication to her Creator by water baptism.

In the years following, she exercised her faith by helping others to understand the Bible and the hope it holds. She served as a full-time minister in Oak Harbor and in Guam, and was given a special assignment with her husband Juan to help start a congregation on the island of Rota. Throughout these assignments, she touched many lives and showed what the Bible means when it says that God loves a cheerful giver.

Upon returning to their family home in Oak Harbor in 1988, Mary continued working hard at her ministry. Eventually her health failed and her family and caregivers, especially her husband, devoted themselves to ensuring her comfort throughout the remaining years of her life.

Mary is survived by her husband, Juan; their children, John, Eloise, Corrine, Jackie, David, George, Frank and Mark; 30 grandchildren and numerous great-grand-children; and two sisters, Katherine and Sally. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Pearl, brothers George and James, and her son James. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, in the event facility at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, 10200 S March Point Rd. All who knew Mary are welcome to attend.