Mary Fortier Pooler Obituary (2024)

Wow! An exceptional 95 years of life. A life of adventure. A life of service. A life well lived. Mary Marie Fortier was born in Caldwell, Idaho, to Eldon Joseph Fortier and Ruth (Nicholson) Fortier. Mary had a younger brother, Joseph (Joe), and when she was a child, the family moved to Sumner, Washington. Mary grew up working in the nearby fields picking berries and vegetables. Her high school activities included involvement in student government, band, choir, and cheerleading. Her love for the outdoors started early in her life as she recalls trips to the mountains, and especially her beloved Mt. Rainier. When in high school, she began snow skiing at a small slope near the mountain, an activity she would enjoy into her 80s. After graduating from Sumner High School in 1947, Mary attended Central Washington State College in Ellensburg, Washington. While seated in English 101, a handsome Navy Vet caught her eye, Warren (Gus) Pooler. He courted her and wrote numerous love letters, which she has saved to this day, before their marriage in March 1949. Their journey together began in veterans housing, and she worked at the college administration office to help support their household. Her acumen for organizing and keeping records served them well in the following years. After Gus graduated, the couple moved to Naches Heights where Gus began teaching at Highland High School. Mary found work at the local doctor's office, assisting Dr. Zimmerman as a receptionist and medical assistant. Training was on the job. Mary and Gus were inseparable. They did everything together. Camping. Boating. Water skiing. Snow skiing. Hiking. Jeeping. Woodcutting. Raising horses. Caring for blue bird boxes. Their love of the outdoors took them to mountain peaks and river valleys, to tranquil lakes and snow fields. They shared this life of adventure with their kids, Ted (1957) and Sallie (1959). Travels included journeys throughout the Pacific Northwest, a road trip to Alaska, and frequent clam digging. Their favorite trails featured Mount Rainier, known simply as "The Mountain." Mary and Gus visited most of the National Parks in the Western US, with other extended travels to Europe and Mexico. In 1968, the family discovered Twin Lakes in northeast Washington and returned nearly every year since. In 1961, Gus and Mary bought an orchard in Selah, growing cherries, apples, and pears. Over time, they expanded the operation to include more tree fruit on Brown Lane, Mullins Road, and Lookout Point Road. With each purchase came a move to a new home, building on Brown Lane, living in the orchard on Lookout Point, and eventually building a house at the top of their orchards with some of the best views in the Yakima Valley. Mary took care of the business side of the farming, while Gus worked outside. Her records were impeccable, and we can still recall her open ledgers as she paid workers at the end of harvest. After the kids were in school full time, Mary returned to work at Selah High School as the "AV Lady" and secretary for the history department, later moving into the library where she thoroughly enjoyed guiding students to the available books and resource materials. She retired in the early 1980s to spend more time adventuring with Gus. Mary was the consummate homemaker. She was an excellent cook, and she taught these skills to her kids. Tasty meals were the norm, and game meat was common - deer, elk, and pheasant. Holiday feasts felt like you were at the emperor's table. Each year she canned cherries, peaches, pears, apricots, and Italian prunes, which, along with apple sauce, pickles, green beans, and tomatoes, filled the pantry for the year. Mary always had a garden. Gus would rototill the garden plot, and she got the kids involved with preparation and planting. Raspberries and Marionberries flanked the edge of the garden space from which she made her acclaimed "Grandma Jam." We can still taste it on PB&J, toasted English muffins, and ice cream. Besides caring for her family, Mary enjoyed sewing and working in her flower beds. These activities provided a place of refuge and a sense of beauty. As an excellent seamstress, she crafted clothes for the family and outfits for dolls, but her forte was quilting. Counting the number of quilts she assembled is nearly impossible. Her gift for combining colors and patterns was shared with family and friends, in wall hangings, and in quilts donated to needy families in Mexico. When it came to her flower beds, the array of colors was fabulous. We laugh because we think she enjoyed weeding, giving each weed a name before she pulled it. The result was gorgeous landscaping to be enjoyed by all. Another of Mary's passions was reading. She always had a book on hand and read nearly every day. Though determining a favorite genre is difficult, historical fiction initially comes to mind. She was on a first name basis with the Selah librarian and always had her next book in the que. It seems fitting to conclude with Mary's love for the outdoors. She snow skied and water skied every year into her 80s. Buttery smooth groomed runs at White Pass and early morning glassy water at Twin Lakes were her favorites. After retiring, hiking became a regular activity, with many days on the flanks of Mt. Rainier. She passed this love onto her family and enjoyed it with friends. Her group of lady hiking companions would begin the season in the sagebrush lowlands and work their way higher into the Cascades as summer arrived. Hikes always ended with ice cream treats, or Coronitas and lime, and great conversation. Our family thanks you for your friendship and the memories created with Mary. She faithfully served at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church in their "Trail Seekers" youth ministry program, and regularly helped in the church hospitality room. Therefore, we ask that in lieu of flowers and gifts, donations be made to the Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church, Yakima. Of course, cards and shared memories are welcome. Celebration of Life is Friday, January 31st, 2025, at 11:00 AM - Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church - 9 South 8th Ave, Yakima, WA. Brookside Funeral Home & Crematory are caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at: www.brooksidefuneral.com