Mary Lynne Mansfield, age 59, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on July 31, 2010. She died at the family home which she deeply loved and shared with her husband, Stephen E. Mansfield. She and Steve lived in the home the entirety of their 26-year marriage, moving in on their wedding day.

Mary was born on March 7, 1951, to Raymond C. Cusworth and Achsah Gay (Hanson) Cusworth, in Everett, and grew up in Oak Harbor where she graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1969. Mary completed one year of business school before accepting a job with Island Title Company on May 1, 1970. Her employment with Island Title Company (which later became Chicago Title Company) would continue for over 40 years until her illness forced her retirement on May 31, 2010. She started as a typist and rose to branch manager and vice president of the company.

On August 22, 1970, Mary married Ken Hofkamp and on May 11, 1978, Anthony R. (Tony) Hofkamp was born to them. Mary and Ken were divorced in January of 1979. In August of 1979, Mary undertook the task of opening and managing a new branch office for Island Title Company in Anacortes. She moved to Anacortes with her year old son and without knowing anyone in Anacortes, hired staff and opened the new office, which was the first title and escrow office in Anacortes. She made the office an immediate success, establishing friendships and working relationships with the real estate and banking community which continued throughout her career in Anacortes. At the same time she continued to be an excellent mother to her young child and did an outstanding job of balancing work with parenting.

On March 24, 1984, Mary Lynne and Stephen Mansfield were married in Anacortes and Mary became a step-mother to Steve’s daughter Maren. Mary and Steve joked that theirs was a forced marriage as they had found the perfect house and needed to marry prior to closing.

Mary was very active in the community serving on a number of boards and committees, including the Chamber of Commerce Board, the committee to interview prospective hospital administrators, and Anacortes Rotary Club Board. Mary was a very active Rotarian during her time with the club. She was one of the first female members of the club, was named Rotarian of the year, and served as the club’s first woman president. Typically for Mary, she took pride in having joined the select group of past presidents of the club rather than having been the first female president.

For Mary, her top priority was always family. She loved the frequent family gatherings, especially Christmas dinner when the whole family could join together in celebration of her favorite holiday. She deeply loved her son and step-daughter and took great pride in their accomplishments. She was very much looking forward to spending time with her new granddaughter, Baela. She loved her house and yard and was most happy when she could spend time there. She also loved her job, especially solving problems for her customers and working and visiting with them.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond C. Cusworth and Achsah Gay Cusworth.

Mary is survived by her husband Stephen Mansfield at the family home, her son Tony Hofkamp of Portland, step-daughter Maren Mansfield and her husband Christopher Harris, and granddaughter Baela Harris all of Anacortes, and sisters Susan Hofkamp and husband Virgil of Anacortes and Nancy Berner and husband Gary of Oak Harbor, aunts Karen Jett of Oregon, and Crete Grahn, of Oregon. Mary is also survived by numerous and much loved nephews, nieces and cousins.

The family members wish to express their heartfelt appreciation to those who provided Mary with such compassionate care during her illness.

Special thanks go to the staff at the Island hospital Cancer Care Center and to Doctor Kantorowitz and his marvelous staff at the Skagit Valley Hospital Cancer Care Center. Dr. K, you gave us Mary back so we could say goodbye.

A celebration of Mary’s life with friends and family will be held at the Croatian Center located at 5th Street and R Avenue in Anacortes from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Island Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel in Anacortes. To share memories of Mary, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.