Celebration of Life scheduled for Mary Frances McElfresh (December 9, 1928 – October 26, 2024)
The family of Mary Frances McElfresh is saddened to announce her death last month, on October 26th in Friday Harbor, WA. She was 95 years old. Mary Frances was born on December 9th, 1928 in Mattoon IL to Claude and Mary Temple. She attended Illinois Wesleyan University where she was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority. She graduated in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She and her first husband, Bill Bryner, had four children: Samantha, Martha, Paul and James.
The family moved to Southern California in 1956 and later settled in the Bay Area where Mary Frances spent most of her life. She worked as an executive secretary in Silicon Valley for many years while lovingly raising her kids.
In 1996 Mary Frances moved to Friday Harbor and spent the rest of her life in the town she loved so dearly. She was an avid reader, devoured crossword puzzles, and loved having long conversations with her many friends. She could always be counted on if you needed a volunteer, so needless to say she kept very busy.
Mary Frances was a member of the Lutheran Church in Friday Harbor and an active member of Amnesty International.
She was predeceased by her first son, Paul, who died in infancy, and her second husband, Pat McElfresh, in 1993.
Mary Frances is survived by her daughters, Samantha Bryner and Martha Jay, her son James Bryner, & his wife Sheryl, grandchildren, Juelianna Freeauf-Killick, Flora Freeauf, Elliott Garl and great grandchildren Olive Killick and Jaxson Adams.
A celebration of her life will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Friday Harbor at 11:00am on December 7th. A reception will follow. To share memories of Mary please visit Evans Funeral Chapel Website here.
