Mary Elizabeth Walsh left these earthly bounds on Sunday evening, October 6, 2024 to return to our gentle, loving God. She was greeted by her life partner Jack and two sons, Paddy and Jack, Jr., and her grandson Johnathan Walsh Mellon.

Mary’s parents, John and Matilda Ivancich, immigrated to Scotia from Austria in the early 20th century, seeking a better life for their family. She was born in the Scotia Hospital on August 10, 1923, ninth of eleven children, and was named after her oldest sister, Maria, who had died in the flu epidemic.

After the Great Depression hit, the family moved to Eureka, where she attended school and graduated from Eureka High School in 1941. She then moved to San Francisco and during World War II was employed by the Army Corps of Engineers, as a secretary. Six years later she returned to Eureka, at her sister Rosie’s request, to work for Rosie’s husband, Dr. Jack Walsh, who was opening his medical office after returning from the war. After Rose died of a brain tumor, Mary married Jack on August 17, 1953 and this began their loving 74-year journey through life until Jack’s death in 2016.

In addition to managing the busy Walsh household day and night while Jack tended to his patients, Mary and Jack built a log cabin in Squaw Valley just in time for the 1960 Winter Olympics. There they would, with their children and grandchildren, share their love of skiing with their friends and family.

Together Jack and Mary also ran for 18 years the Horse Mountain Ski Area on Titlow Hill, Humboldt County, providing rich opportunities for local kids to learn to ski and develop a greater appreciation of the mountains. Mary, with several kids in diapers, ran the snack shack, selling hot dogs and dressing up as the Easter Bunny for special events.

Mary and Jack loved to travel, which with many kids is not as easy as it sounds. On one trip they rented a camper van and traveled throughout France and Italy with eight of their children. They only lost one along the way – Lizzie, who decided to tour Florence on her own. She was found before the sun went down. Jack and Mary were accomplished sailors and enjoyed several trips, again with kids and grandkids, around the San Juan Islands, in Greece and in the Adriatic Sea.

Their home on S Street was the gathering spot for many holiday feasts and festivities. On summer weekends, they could often be found camping out at their deck along the Trinity River, with views of Old Ironsides above and the lullaby of the river below.

Mary’s family gathered at her home to celebrate her 100th birthday last year on a beautiful summer day. She remained in her home, lovingly cared for by her children and caregiver, Amy Casarez, until she left us. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Amy as well as Hospice & St. Bernard’s Church.

Mary is survived by her remaining nine children, Linda Bareilles (Ken) of Eureka, Danny (Tracey) Walsh of Healdsburg, Mona (Joe) Pinochi or Eureka, Rose Wahlund (Ron) of Eureka, Kitty Kathol (Lorenz) of Alpine, Pat Walsh of Eureka, Liz Day (Tom) of Olympic Valley, Heidi Beauchamp (Ron) of Eureka and Betsy Homen of Eureka.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jack (Carolyn) Bareilles, Ken (Renee) Bareilles, Jess (Denise) Bareilles, Sandy (Eric) Younger, Christy Bareilles, Paul Bareilles, Heidi Bareilles, Kelsey (Rob) Garnero, Maddy (Brian) Huhn, Corey (Haley) Pinochi, Casey (Karen) Pinochi, Matt (Roxy) Wahlund, Danna (Matt) Sanchez, Katie (Nathan) Weightman, Kurt Kathol, Karlie (Eric) Martin, Danny Day, Leanore Day, Ronnie (Ashley) Beauchamp, Bailey (Dennis) Johnson, John Homen, and Mike Homen.

In addition, she also leaves great-grandchildren: Jesse Bareilles, Claire Bareilles, Gigi Bareilles, Max Bareilles, Nathan Bareilles, Mai Bareilles, Jasmine Younger, Colton Younger, Jvon Watkins, Gigi Ganero, Walsh Ganero, Kade Pinochi, Lucca Pinochi, Colt Pinochi, Kamryn & Corrado Pinochi, Bodhi Wahlund, Ames Sanchez, Keira, Jack, Luke, and Joshua Weightman, Asher and Harlow Kathol, and Harper & Rylee Johnson.

Mary’s funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Bernard’s Church on Saturday, October 19th at 11:30 a.m. with a reception to follow at St. Bernard’s Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Mary to St. Bernard’s School or Hospice, would be appreciated.