Obituary of Jane Elizabeth Mackey

Jane Mackey January 22, 1919 – August 28th, 2013 Jane Mackey’s life was lived in motion. She found purpose in her work, her hobbies and most of all, her family. Free time was time wasted because there was too much to do and too many people to serve. Jane was tough and pure as only a child born of blue collar immigrants who came of age in the great depression could be. She lived a life of the highest honor and integrity, traits that were readily and consistently apparent to those with the honor of calling her friend or colleague. Her core and anchor were her unfaltering Christian faith and love of God. Nothing meant more to Jane than family, a fact not lost on those with the privilege of calling her mom, grandma, aunt, cousin, sister, or wife. As an aunt or cousin, you knew her for hosting the Christmas Eve crab feasts and the gentle acceptance of all who lived under a Rogers, Mackey , Fredson or Greenwalt roof. As a Grandson, Jane was known for her pancakes, homemade jam and expectation that after eating, you’d have time to do a few chores. As a parent, Jane was the Mackey rock, a woman whose high standards, wisdom and patience kept the more free spirited family members focused and at bay. Jane never met a dollar that was not subject to scrutiny or a cent she was comfortable wasting. But spending aside, she loved numbers. They were orderly and always behaved in the same way. Her driving desire to serve her church and community and common financial sense meant her skills as a bookkeeper benefitted not just the staff and customers of the Mason County Credit Union, where she worked for over 20 years, but also Sonrise Ministry and Mount Olive Lutheran Church, both of which benefitted from her volunteer service as treasurer. In 1984, after reading an advice column letter that sounded suspiciously like the complaints of her recently retired husband, Jane decided to retire…in secret. A secret spilled only because of an innocent call from a colleague to her son in law asking how he wanted to participate in her retirement party. Those lucky enough to be a part of Jane’s life post retirement were left with two enduring facts. The first was her love and commitment to Buck, her husband of over 60 years with whom she created a comforting, nurturing and accepting home that embraced all who wished to enter. Just as noticeable was Jane’s green thumb. Her gardens climbed walls, hugged fences, produced fruit and vegetables with which she blessed friends and family, and perhaps most importantly, provided an outlet for her limitless energy. Jane’s last year was spent in love with her great grandson, Landon Rogers. A relationship perfectly illustrating the simple, abiding, agenda free love found only at the very beginning and end of our time on earth. Jane is survived by her two children, Karol Rogers and Richard Mackey; Karol’s husband Herb, sons Mark and Michael, Michael’s wife Ruth and their son Landon; Rich’s wife Cheryl and sons Scott, Wade and Brett; her sister Marion, Brother Neal, and Neal’s wife Phyllis; nephews Mike and Jeff Fredson and niece Connie Fredson Johnson; and an endless further array of nephews, nieces and cousins. Though she is and will be desperately missed, Jane’s life was full, her values live on in the lives of her family and there is little doubt she is already hard at work sowing the rich soils of the afterlife. A Memorial Service was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3rd at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted in Jane’s name at Sonrise Ministry, 2nd and Coda St (po box 666), Shelton WA 98584.