Mary Jean Woodman

Mary Jean Woodman

Mary Jean Woodman was born Mary Nelson June 30, 1930, on a farm in Lynden, Washington. Toward the end of her life, she remarked that she had only happy memories of her childhood, despite enduring hardship early when her father Joseph Nelson died of pneumonia when Mary was 4. They lost the farm, her mother found work as a live-in nurse, and Mary moved through several homes, as relatives and foster families took turns caring for her. Every home she lived in, they loved her. She was born spreading joy and sunshine.

Several years later, her mother (Florence Nelson) and brother and sister (Edward and Eleanor) and Mary settled on a dairy farm in Bow, WA. As a shy teenager, Mary was asked to sing before the school and to demonstrate how to make the perfect angel food cake. (She would be embarrassed to hear this praise repeated now.) She went on to live with a song in her heart and a gift for cooking and baking. Mary was a country girl who rose early to do chores, came home after school to milk and tend the cows. She sewed her own clothes, she could always sing beautifully, and play the piano. She never seemed aware of her own stunning beauty.

Mary graduated with a degree in Education from Western Washington State College (now WWU) where she met Robert Woodman. They married June 14, 1953, and settled on Bainbridge Island, raising 5 children (John, Kathy, David, Janice, and Ruth Woodman). Mary’s life was devoted to her family and husband. There is a special place in heaven for mothers of 5 large, athletic children. We never went hungry and were regularly greeted on arrival home from school with fresh baked bread or cookies. She canned, preserved and froze enough food to feed the US army. She sewed countless dresses, shirts and pants. She took us to music lessons, sporting events, choir concerts, swimming lessons, and horse shows. She loved being a mother. She had exceptional artistic skill which shone through her painting, calligraphy, flower arrangements and gardening. She loved books and reading. She loved nature and the changing seasons.

Mary was also a faithful member of the Bainbridge First Baptist Church. She fed hundreds with her world-class lasagna, casseroles, homemade bread, cookies, and the best pies known to mankind. She added her beautiful voice to the church choir and taught years of Sunday School classes. Her life was a true reflection of the fruit of the spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Self Control.

When God sent Mary down to earth, He was loaning us one of His angels. On September 26, 2021, she returned to His side, and reunited with many loved ones that have gone before. She is sorely missed by those left behind.

Mary Woodman is survived by her husband Robert Woodman, her 5 children, 12 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
A service will be held at a later date, due to COVID 19 concerns. Please send any donations to the Bainbridge First Baptist Church.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA.