Mary Maude Copple

Mary Maude Copple passed away Dec. 22, 2024. She was born Dec. 29, 1940, in Spokane, Wash., to June Benson and Elbert Copple, and grew up on the Copple family apple farm in Okanogan, Wash. She graduated Salutatorian from Okanogan High School.

Mary attended Whitman University and University of Puget Sound, earning a degree in education. In 1963, Mary moved to Molokai, Hawaii, to teach in a one room school. She kept Hawaii in her heart for the rest of her life.

Later, Mary taught English, history and politics in Spokane, working at Gary Middle School, and Rogers and Ferris high schools.

She earned a master's degree in education from Eastern Washington University in 1988 and spent the next 12 years teaching adult basic education for Community Colleges of Spokane. She worked the majority of her career in the Hillyard neighborhood and was passionate about education.

Mary raised her daughter, Katherine, near Spokane's Comstock Park in a house in which she lived nearly 40 years. She was a staple of the neighborhood, and her piano playing could often be heard.

Family was the most important thing in Mary's life. She regularly drove to Okanogan on weekends and vacations to spend time with her parents, siblings, niece, and nephews.

She loved buying books for her grandchildren, sending a new one every month. Mary Maude is predeceased by her parents; and brother, E. Benson Copple.

She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Katherine and Geoffrey Potter; grandchildren, Gwyn and Skye Potter; sister and brother-in-law, Addie and Jim Lane; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral will take place at Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Spokane, Wash., at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan.11.

A graveside service will be at Omak City Cemetery in Omak, Wash., at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. A reception will be at 6 p.m. in Spokane that evening, with the location yet to be determined.

A continuing education scholarship is being established in Mary's name for graduating students of Rogers High School. To contribute, go to https://gofund.me/9acff268.