Mary Lou Teitzel
November 26, 1929 ~ September 29, 2014
Our dear Mom passed away in the early morning at her home on Sequim Bay after a brave and brief battle with cancer.
Born Marion Louise Torget, in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, to Norwegian immigrants Paul and Mary (Elvestad) Torget, Mom was always known as Mary Lou and much preferred it! She was fondly known as “D.O.M.” (“Dear Old Mom”) by her sons-in-law Ken, and later Bill. However once she had grandchildren she would be forever known as Granny.
As a young teenager she moved to Port Angeles and in 1953 she moved to Sequim where she resided for the following 60 plus years. Mary Lou and Stanley Duane “Duke,” now de- ceased, were married in Port Angeles on December 31, 1946.
They moved to Sequim when Duke opened his first gas station – a Flying A – on Washington Street near what is now known as Creamery Square. Over the years Mary Lou and Duke were active in the Lion’s Club, where they were charter members, and the Irrigation Festival – chairing the event twice in the early 60s. The gas station evolved into a full service automotive and towing business. Located originally on Etta Street, Dukes Automotive was ultimately moved to East Washington. For many years Mary Lou and Duke and family lived in the house immediately adjacent to the wrecking yard and in front of the airstrip!
Mary Lou’s four daughters, Laurie (Ken – deceased) Stewart, Judym (William) Burdin, Shelli (Martin) Robb-Kahler and Cindy Teitzel and her five grandsons, Jeff, Brady, Colin, Jake and Duke, and granddaughter Rachel as well as her great–granddaughters Brooke, Isabella and Sophia and – in spirit –Sasha, were all are able to be with her before she passed. Of all of Mary Lou’s passions, she was “crazy” about her grandkids!
When Laurie and Judy were young, Mary Lou helped with book- keeping at Duke’s Automotive, served as a Girl Scout Leader and was a frequent co-conspirator in Duke’s many jokes. She was also superb at crafting costumes; Kiddy’s parade costumes and floats; and appearing with Duke in all sorts of getups at the annual American Legion Halloween parties.
When Shelli and Cindy were young she expanded on her interest in art; taking classes and painting first in oil, then water colors, pastels and the occasional acrylic. Her pas- sion for painting never waned. Mary Lou was also a founding member of the Blue Whole Gallery and longtime member of Sequim Arts. Her art was regularly featured at the gallery. Until very recently you could find her working a shift there and extolling the virtues of the many artists displayed at the gallery.
Mary Lou was also a founding member of Sequim 2000 and was instrumental in championing the rebirth of Downtown Sequim, after the implementation of the bypass, and the creation of the Sequim 2000 credit card, which has funded over $300,000 for local non-profits. Most recently she was featured in a foundation advertisement.
Our most enduring memories will include the marvelous twinkle in her very blue eyes, that never dimmed; her love of good strong black coffee; her crossword expertise; her avid reading; and the fact she never went anywhere without fresh lipstick. She was the first on and last off the dance floor. She became a world traveler visiting Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean in recent years, always accompanied by her kids and grand- kids. Her wonderful personality and smile won the love of many – not to mention she was a “hoot!”
On Saturday, October 11, we will celebrate her life and our memories with a memorial service at the Olympic Theater Arts Community Room beginning at 2:30 PM. In lieu of flowers please make donations to: The Mary Lou Teitzel Memorial Bench Fund.
Donations may be made at any Sound Community Bank branch or via mail to P.O. Box 636, Sequim, WA 98382.
