Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, January 7, 1965
Mary Pierce closes Life Dedicated to Education
Mary C. Pierce, a gallant fighter for better education, died here New Year's
morning at 8:30 o'clock.
She had returned home November 16 from Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane, advised
of the fact that her remaining life could be but a few weeks, months at the most.
At 78 she took her Maker's message calmly, her active mind continuing in orderly
fashion to dispose of unfinished affairs and plans.
She expressed the hope, before her death, that friends would honor her
memory by contributing to an endowment for a talent award for an "average student,"
rather than by decking her casket and funeral with flowers.
Mary Pierce believed in education. She believed in school children. A long-time
friend and admirer, Ernest Muzzall, expressed the feelings of hundreds whose life
Mrs. Pierce touched. He learned at his home in Ellensburg of her illness and wrote
a letter which was read to Mrs. Pierce the very evening before her death.
It read in part:
"Most of all I learned from you to have the ultimate confidence in young people.
"I found in you a valued colleague whose concern for young folk was like but
surpassed my own.
"You gave me the confidence and faith and courage to make school arrangements
to further student growth.
"That these convictions were sound is proved by the accomplishments of the young
people who came under your influence."
Muzzall was superintendent of the Ritzville schools from 1928 to 1932. He has
since retired.
Mary Alice Pierce was born November 24, 1886, at Brigham, S. Dak., the youngest
of four children of Benjamin and Sara Carscallen. With her family she came to
Sandpoint, Ida., in 1899.
She attended Cheney Normal, receiving the first A. B. issued there. Her first
teaching position was at the Fairbanks school in Whitman county. She taught at
the Lincoln school in Ritzville for a few years before her marriage to Fred Vernan Pierce
on June 27, 1911.
Four children were born to this family. An infant twin son died in 1918. Pierce died
in 1950 after serving as manager for the white River Lumber company, for a number of years.
Mary Pierce resumed teaching in 1923. She was instrumental in forming the junior high
school here, in a plan that was later widely adopted throughout the state.
Later she supervised cadet teachers at Cheney. She received her master's degree in
education in 1954. She served as Adams county superintendent of schools from 1943 until
her death.
Since 1956 she has been a leading force for improvement in rural education in both
the state and the nation. She became, in 1956, a member of the steering committee for
the National Education association's rural education department. Just last fall she
attended another of the committee's meetings in Washington, D. C.
For many years she also headed the rural education department of the Washington
Education association. She was affiliated with PEO, being a charter member here. She
was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, the Reading club, Business and Professional
Women's club and AAUW.
She belonged to the Wesleyan Service guild. Mrs. Pierce had a lifelong interest in
art and had done many paintings, one of them is hung in the entryway of Trinity Methodist
church here. She conducted art classes throughout Adams county.
Other memberships she had included the Adams county Historical society and the Ritzville
Women's club.
She was a member of the committee which in recent years took the decisive steps resulting
in establishing the Dr. Frank B. Burroughs Historical museum.
Midst all the raising of a family and teaching, she was active in service clubs, her professional
extra-curricular work and social commitments. The children recall their mother managed
always to have a hot lunch ready for them at home, even though she herself was teaching.
At one time following World War II displaced persons from European countries came into
this area. The Pierce home was one of several where these people learned English, taught
from primers which Mrs. Pierce skillfully aided the immigrants in using.
Mrs. Pierce has been listed in Who's Who in American Women, Who's Who in the West and
Who's Who in Washington.
Her survivors include a son, Bert Pierce of Seattle; daughters, Mrs. James (Marjorie) Eider of
Satellite Beach, Fla.; and Mrs. Stan (Laura) Telecky of Ritzville. Also surviving are five
grandchildren, Richard, Sharon and Judy Pierce of Seattle; and Janet and Michael Telecky of
Ritzville.
Other survivors include five nieces and one nephew. Mrs. Jesse Lyons of Sandpoint, Ida., a
niece, attended the funeral.
Funeral services were conducted at Trinity Methodist church Tuesday afternoon. The Rev.
James Updike conducted the service. A trio of high school girls sang, accompanied by Mrs. John
Eckhardt as organist.
Pallbearers were Edward G. Cross, James Kadlec, Victor Rogel, James Webb, Robert W.
Danekas and Melvin Hurst.
Honorary pallbearers were Dr. A. H. Varnes, W. H. Rosenoff, C. M. Actor, E. L. Muzzall, J. C. Kittel,
E. Frank Sayre, Jake Hoefel, Rudy Koch, L. D. Emerson, Van Emerson, William Hinchliffe, Paul
Hatfield, Don Esmay, Dean McDowell, Ralph Gillis and many others.
Burial was in the Ritzville Memorial cemetery.
-------------------------
Mary Pierce closes Life Dedicated to Education
Mary C. Pierce, a gallant fighter for better education, died here New Year's
morning at 8:30 o'clock.
She had returned home November 16 from Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane, advised
of the fact that her remaining life could be but a few weeks, months at the most.
At 78 she took her Maker's message calmly, her active mind continuing in orderly
fashion to dispose of unfinished affairs and plans.
She expressed the hope, before her death, that friends would honor her
memory by contributing to an endowment for a talent award for an "average student,"
rather than by decking her casket and funeral with flowers.
Mary Pierce believed in education. She believed in school children. A long-time
friend and admirer, Ernest Muzzall, expressed the feelings of hundreds whose life
Mrs. Pierce touched. He learned at his home in Ellensburg of her illness and wrote
a letter which was read to Mrs. Pierce the very evening before her death.
It read in part:
"Most of all I learned from you to have the ultimate confidence in young people.
"I found in you a valued colleague whose concern for young folk was like but
surpassed my own.
"You gave me the confidence and faith and courage to make school arrangements
to further student growth.
"That these convictions were sound is proved by the accomplishments of the young
people who came under your influence."
Muzzall was superintendent of the Ritzville schools from 1928 to 1932. He has
since retired.
Mary Alice Pierce was born November 24, 1886, at Brigham, S. Dak., the youngest
of four children of Benjamin and Sara Carscallen. With her family she came to
Sandpoint, Ida., in 1899.
She attended Cheney Normal, receiving the first A. B. issued there. Her first
teaching position was at the Fairbanks school in Whitman county. She taught at
the Lincoln school in Ritzville for a few years before her marriage to Fred Vernan Pierce
on June 27, 1911.
Four children were born to this family. An infant twin son died in 1918. Pierce died
in 1950 after serving as manager for the white River Lumber company, for a number of years.
Mary Pierce resumed teaching in 1923. She was instrumental in forming the junior high
school here, in a plan that was later widely adopted throughout the state.
Later she supervised cadet teachers at Cheney. She received her master's degree in
education in 1954. She served as Adams county superintendent of schools from 1943 until
her death.
Since 1956 she has been a leading force for improvement in rural education in both
the state and the nation. She became, in 1956, a member of the steering committee for
the National Education association's rural education department. Just last fall she
attended another of the committee's meetings in Washington, D. C.
For many years she also headed the rural education department of the Washington
Education association. She was affiliated with PEO, being a charter member here. She
was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, the Reading club, Business and Professional
Women's club and AAUW.
She belonged to the Wesleyan Service guild. Mrs. Pierce had a lifelong interest in
art and had done many paintings, one of them is hung in the entryway of Trinity Methodist
church here. She conducted art classes throughout Adams county.
Other memberships she had included the Adams county Historical society and the Ritzville
Women's club.
She was a member of the committee which in recent years took the decisive steps resulting
in establishing the Dr. Frank B. Burroughs Historical museum.
Midst all the raising of a family and teaching, she was active in service clubs, her professional
extra-curricular work and social commitments. The children recall their mother managed
always to have a hot lunch ready for them at home, even though she herself was teaching.
At one time following World War II displaced persons from European countries came into
this area. The Pierce home was one of several where these people learned English, taught
from primers which Mrs. Pierce skillfully aided the immigrants in using.
Mrs. Pierce has been listed in Who's Who in American Women, Who's Who in the West and
Who's Who in Washington.
Her survivors include a son, Bert Pierce of Seattle; daughters, Mrs. James (Marjorie) Eider of
Satellite Beach, Fla.; and Mrs. Stan (Laura) Telecky of Ritzville. Also surviving are five
grandchildren, Richard, Sharon and Judy Pierce of Seattle; and Janet and Michael Telecky of
Ritzville.
Other survivors include five nieces and one nephew. Mrs. Jesse Lyons of Sandpoint, Ida., a
niece, attended the funeral.
Funeral services were conducted at Trinity Methodist church Tuesday afternoon. The Rev.
James Updike conducted the service. A trio of high school girls sang, accompanied by Mrs. John
Eckhardt as organist.
Pallbearers were Edward G. Cross, James Kadlec, Victor Rogel, James Webb, Robert W.
Danekas and Melvin Hurst.
Honorary pallbearers were Dr. A. H. Varnes, W. H. Rosenoff, C. M. Actor, E. L. Muzzall, J. C. Kittel,
E. Frank Sayre, Jake Hoefel, Rudy Koch, L. D. Emerson, Van Emerson, William Hinchliffe, Paul
Hatfield, Don Esmay, Dean McDowell, Ralph Gillis and many others.
Burial was in the Ritzville Memorial cemetery.
-------------------------
Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, January 7, 1965
Mary Pierce closes Life Dedicated to Education
Mary C. Pierce, a gallant fighter for better education, died here New Year's
morning at 8:30 o'clock.
She had returned home November 16 from Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane, advised
of the fact that her remaining life could be but a few weeks, months at the most.
At 78 she took her Maker's message calmly, her active mind continuing in orderly
fashion to dispose of unfinished affairs and plans.
She expressed the hope, before her death, that friends would honor her
memory by contributing to an endowment for a talent award for an "average student,"
rather than by decking her casket and funeral with flowers.
Mary Pierce believed in education. She believed in school children. A long-time
friend and admirer, Ernest Muzzall, expressed the feelings of hundreds whose life
Mrs. Pierce touched. He learned at his home in Ellensburg of her illness and wrote
a letter which was read to Mrs. Pierce the very evening before her death.
It read in part:
"Most of all I learned from you to have the ultimate confidence in young people.
"I found in you a valued colleague whose concern for young folk was like but
surpassed my own.
"You gave me the confidence and faith and courage to make school arrangements
to further student growth.
"That these convictions were sound is proved by the accomplishments of the young
people who came under your influence."
Muzzall was superintendent of the Ritzville schools from 1928 to 1932. He has
since retired.
Mary Alice Pierce was born November 24, 1886, at Brigham, S. Dak., the youngest
of four children of Benjamin and Sara Carscallen. With her family she came to
Sandpoint, Ida., in 1899.
She attended Cheney Normal, receiving the first A. B. issued there. Her first
teaching position was at the Fairbanks school in Whitman county. She taught at
the Lincoln school in Ritzville for a few years before her marriage to Fred Vernan Pierce
on June 27, 1911.
Four children were born to this family. An infant twin son died in 1918. Pierce died
in 1950 after serving as manager for the white River Lumber company, for a number of years.
Mary Pierce resumed teaching in 1923. She was instrumental in forming the junior high
school here, in a plan that was later widely adopted throughout the state.
Later she supervised cadet teachers at Cheney. She received her master's degree in
education in 1954. She served as Adams county superintendent of schools from 1943 until
her death.
Since 1956 she has been a leading force for improvement in rural education in both
the state and the nation. She became, in 1956, a member of the steering committee for
the National Education association's rural education department. Just last fall she
attended another of the committee's meetings in Washington, D. C.
For many years she also headed the rural education department of the Washington
Education association. She was affiliated with PEO, being a charter member here. She
was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, the Reading club, Business and Professional
Women's club and AAUW.
She belonged to the Wesleyan Service guild. Mrs. Pierce had a lifelong interest in
art and had done many paintings, one of them is hung in the entryway of Trinity Methodist
church here. She conducted art classes throughout Adams county.
Other memberships she had included the Adams county Historical society and the Ritzville
Women's club.
She was a member of the committee which in recent years took the decisive steps resulting
in establishing the Dr. Frank B. Burroughs Historical museum.
Midst all the raising of a family and teaching, she was active in service clubs, her professional
extra-curricular work and social commitments. The children recall their mother managed
always to have a hot lunch ready for them at home, even though she herself was teaching.
At one time following World War II displaced persons from European countries came into
this area. The Pierce home was one of several where these people learned English, taught
from primers which Mrs. Pierce skillfully aided the immigrants in using.
Mrs. Pierce has been listed in Who's Who in American Women, Who's Who in the West and
Who's Who in Washington.
Her survivors include a son, Bert Pierce of Seattle; daughters, Mrs. James (Marjorie) Eider of
Satellite Beach, Fla.; and Mrs. Stan (Laura) Telecky of Ritzville. Also surviving are five
grandchildren, Richard, Sharon and Judy Pierce of Seattle; and Janet and Michael Telecky of
Ritzville.
Other survivors include five nieces and one nephew. Mrs. Jesse Lyons of Sandpoint, Ida., a
niece, attended the funeral.
Funeral services were conducted at Trinity Methodist church Tuesday afternoon. The Rev.
James Updike conducted the service. A trio of high school girls sang, accompanied by Mrs. John
Eckhardt as organist.
Pallbearers were Edward G. Cross, James Kadlec, Victor Rogel, James Webb, Robert W.
Danekas and Melvin Hurst.
Honorary pallbearers were Dr. A. H. Varnes, W. H. Rosenoff, C. M. Actor, E. L. Muzzall, J. C. Kittel,
E. Frank Sayre, Jake Hoefel, Rudy Koch, L. D. Emerson, Van Emerson, William Hinchliffe, Paul
Hatfield, Don Esmay, Dean McDowell, Ralph Gillis and many others.
Burial was in the Ritzville Memorial cemetery.
-------------------------
Mary Pierce closes Life Dedicated to Education
Mary C. Pierce, a gallant fighter for better education, died here New Year's
morning at 8:30 o'clock.
She had returned home November 16 from Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane, advised
of the fact that her remaining life could be but a few weeks, months at the most.
At 78 she took her Maker's message calmly, her active mind continuing in orderly
fashion to dispose of unfinished affairs and plans.
She expressed the hope, before her death, that friends would honor her
memory by contributing to an endowment for a talent award for an "average student,"
rather than by decking her casket and funeral with flowers.
Mary Pierce believed in education. She believed in school children. A long-time
friend and admirer, Ernest Muzzall, expressed the feelings of hundreds whose life
Mrs. Pierce touched. He learned at his home in Ellensburg of her illness and wrote
a letter which was read to Mrs. Pierce the very evening before her death.
It read in part:
"Most of all I learned from you to have the ultimate confidence in young people.
"I found in you a valued colleague whose concern for young folk was like but
surpassed my own.
"You gave me the confidence and faith and courage to make school arrangements
to further student growth.
"That these convictions were sound is proved by the accomplishments of the young
people who came under your influence."
Muzzall was superintendent of the Ritzville schools from 1928 to 1932. He has
since retired.
Mary Alice Pierce was born November 24, 1886, at Brigham, S. Dak., the youngest
of four children of Benjamin and Sara Carscallen. With her family she came to
Sandpoint, Ida., in 1899.
She attended Cheney Normal, receiving the first A. B. issued there. Her first
teaching position was at the Fairbanks school in Whitman county. She taught at
the Lincoln school in Ritzville for a few years before her marriage to Fred Vernan Pierce
on June 27, 1911.
Four children were born to this family. An infant twin son died in 1918. Pierce died
in 1950 after serving as manager for the white River Lumber company, for a number of years.
Mary Pierce resumed teaching in 1923. She was instrumental in forming the junior high
school here, in a plan that was later widely adopted throughout the state.
Later she supervised cadet teachers at Cheney. She received her master's degree in
education in 1954. She served as Adams county superintendent of schools from 1943 until
her death.
Since 1956 she has been a leading force for improvement in rural education in both
the state and the nation. She became, in 1956, a member of the steering committee for
the National Education association's rural education department. Just last fall she
attended another of the committee's meetings in Washington, D. C.
For many years she also headed the rural education department of the Washington
Education association. She was affiliated with PEO, being a charter member here. She
was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, the Reading club, Business and Professional
Women's club and AAUW.
She belonged to the Wesleyan Service guild. Mrs. Pierce had a lifelong interest in
art and had done many paintings, one of them is hung in the entryway of Trinity Methodist
church here. She conducted art classes throughout Adams county.
Other memberships she had included the Adams county Historical society and the Ritzville
Women's club.
She was a member of the committee which in recent years took the decisive steps resulting
in establishing the Dr. Frank B. Burroughs Historical museum.
Midst all the raising of a family and teaching, she was active in service clubs, her professional
extra-curricular work and social commitments. The children recall their mother managed
always to have a hot lunch ready for them at home, even though she herself was teaching.
At one time following World War II displaced persons from European countries came into
this area. The Pierce home was one of several where these people learned English, taught
from primers which Mrs. Pierce skillfully aided the immigrants in using.
Mrs. Pierce has been listed in Who's Who in American Women, Who's Who in the West and
Who's Who in Washington.
Her survivors include a son, Bert Pierce of Seattle; daughters, Mrs. James (Marjorie) Eider of
Satellite Beach, Fla.; and Mrs. Stan (Laura) Telecky of Ritzville. Also surviving are five
grandchildren, Richard, Sharon and Judy Pierce of Seattle; and Janet and Michael Telecky of
Ritzville.
Other survivors include five nieces and one nephew. Mrs. Jesse Lyons of Sandpoint, Ida., a
niece, attended the funeral.
Funeral services were conducted at Trinity Methodist church Tuesday afternoon. The Rev.
James Updike conducted the service. A trio of high school girls sang, accompanied by Mrs. John
Eckhardt as organist.
Pallbearers were Edward G. Cross, James Kadlec, Victor Rogel, James Webb, Robert W.
Danekas and Melvin Hurst.
Honorary pallbearers were Dr. A. H. Varnes, W. H. Rosenoff, C. M. Actor, E. L. Muzzall, J. C. Kittel,
E. Frank Sayre, Jake Hoefel, Rudy Koch, L. D. Emerson, Van Emerson, William Hinchliffe, Paul
Hatfield, Don Esmay, Dean McDowell, Ralph Gillis and many others.
Burial was in the Ritzville Memorial cemetery.
-------------------------
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