Mary Gambrell, aged 98, died peacefully on Thursday evening, October 4th, 2012 at the home of her daughter, Judith Maier in Coupeville, WA.

She was born August 18th, 1914 in Huntington, Indiana to Frederick and Marie Winkelman. She was youngest of 5 children; brothers Ottomar and Frederick and sisters Marguerite and Lydia. After graduating from Huntington High School, she went on to graduate from the Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in 1938, working as a nurse in Indiana, Ohio, and finally Traverse City, Michigan until her retirement.

In 1940, she met and married the love of her life, Bates Franklin Gambrell. They had a wonderful marriage and were blessed with 2 children, Thomas and Judith. The family passed their time at their home in Traverse City, Michigan, their cottage on Birch Lake, and travels around the country with their many friends. Upon retirement, Mary and Bates moved to Whidbey Island to be near their daughter Judith and her family. After Mary’s husband died in 1987, she continued to live in their home in Admirals Cove, spending her time with her family, friends in the neighborhood and her church family at Concordia Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor, Washington. She moved in with her daughter in 2006, where she lived until her death.

She is survived by her older sister Lydia Starke of Florida who recently celebrated her 100th birthday, and her daughter, Judith Maier. She has five grandchildren: Kimberly Beringer and Heather Stark of Michigan; and Timothy Maier, Kristine Young, and Karen Wilburn of Washington. She has seven great-grandchildren: Kayla, Justin, Tyler, Bridgette, Jesse, Gillian and Madeline.

Services will be held at Concordia Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor, Washington on Thursday, October 11th, 2012. The Viewing will began at 12:00 noon, and the Memorial Service will begin at 2:00 pm. This will be followed by a reception at the church, with a graveside service to follow in Coupeville, Washington at Sunnyside Cemetery.