OBITUARY: Karyl Mather, 85, of Bellingham

Karyl Mather, age 85, peacefully passed away Feb. 17, 2014, at the Mount Baker Care Center. Karyl was born in Poulsbo, Wash., on Nov. 10, 1928, to Joseph and Selma Mayrand.

She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington. After a couple years of teaching, she spent many years raising her sons and caring for her family. Later, Karyl began her second career as a credit evaluator in the registrar's office at Western Washington University.

She loved her job at WWU, and made many friends she held dear after retirement in 1990. Over the years, her curiosity about the world inspired trips to many places. She had a great passion for music, both opera and the Beatles. She also loved literature, language, the arts and politics.

Karyl was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dan Mather; sister Shirley Mayrand; and brother, Charles Mayrand.

Survivors include sons Dan Charles Mather of Bellingham, Wash., and Jon Hobart Mather of Willets, Calif.; grandchildren Katherine and Dan Forest Mather, of California; and sister Better Sather of Mount Vernon, Wash.

She has requested memorials be made to Womencare Shelter in Bellingham. Karyl's family will scatter her ashes by the bay in Poulsbo, Wash., where she spent many hours of her idyllic childhood.