Mary Rosenbaum, a 52-year resident of Vashon, passed away July 7 at the Vashon Community Care Center. She was born Mary Louise Ballance January 20, 1923. The daughter of Hobart “Earl” and Alma, she was raised in Lincoln Nebraska with her sister, Jean. While attending the University of Nebraska, she met and married Robert (Bob) Rosenbaum in 1942.

Mary kept the family together by following Bob throughout his military career. She loved travel and different cultures, was an avid reader which led to her favorite job as a librarian. She taught herself to read music and played the organ and piano at home and at the Vashon United Methodist Church.

They moved to Vashon in 1963 when Bob retired from the Air Force where they set about building a home on Maury Island they called “Edelweiss,” designed by their older son, also named Robert.

Other interests of Mary included playing bridge and participating in the Vashon Auxiliary of Seattle Children’s Hospital. Bob and Mary both enjoyed golf and were members of the Vashon Island Golf and Country Club.

Bob and their son, Robert, both predeceased Mary. She is survived by her son, Phillip, daughter, Jean (Alan Mendel) and Robert’s wife, Carole Elder.

She also had seven grandchildren, Alex, Colin (Julie Higgins), Melanie (Ron Loggins), Amanda (Kevin Carrubba), Julie (Nigel Browne), David (Leah

Engelbart), Marne (Jeremy Uttech) and 11 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held July 25 at 10:30 a.m. at the Vashon United Methodist Church followed by a reception at the church.

In appreciation for the loving care she received, donations in memory of Mary are invited for the Vashon Community Care Center, 15333 Vashon

Highway SW, Vashon, WA 98070.

Please visit our online guest book at www.islandfuneral.com.

Paid Obituary.