Mary Carolyn (Kinzel) Dale

Mary Carolyn (Kinzel) Dale, 1927 – 2021

Mary Dale, 93, a West Seattle native, world traveler, watercolor artist, accomplished cook and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died peacefully at her home earlier this March. Her husband of 73 years, Eugene “Bud” Dale, was at her side.

Mary and Bud had moved to assisted-living at The Kenney in fall 2019.

In her Memoirs written in 2005, Mary said, “I really and truly loved my work of being a Mom to four children. … I remember so much fun with the kids and some very trying times, with fights among siblings but so very worth the work. I had a hard time keeping a straight face sometimes even through disciplining—I would break out laughing and the children knew they had made it!!!”

Though there was a four-year difference in age between Mary and her brother, John “Jack” Kinzel, they played together; he would take her for rides in a car he fashioned from an apple crate. Jack, a Marine Corps pilot, was killed in December 1944.

Mary graduated from West Seattle High School in 1945 and was honored as president of the Girls Club. During World War II she worked at Puget Sound Bridge and Dredge. But when the war ended on Aug. 5, 1945, her job did as well. In the fall, she entered the University of Washington, and also worked as a dental X-ray technician for several years.

Mary had been active in Girl Scouts, and she became a troop leader when her daughters joined the group. In 1978, at age 51, Mary returned to college, this time majoring in art history, and earned her degree from University of Washington in 1981. This background enriched the experiences she and Bud enjoyed as they traveled to Europe and Asia.

As far back as childhood, Mary loved visiting the Cascades, especially “Summer hikes at Sunrise on Mt. Rainier and Naches Loop Trail.” Photos from 1939 show her with her parents there, and she noted in an essay in 1942, “Mom was in her glory in the mountains. To this day I too love the Mts.” During the coming summer, Mary’s family plan to scatter her ashes there, so she can be at rest in that place, as she wished.

Mary is survived by her husband, Eugene “Bud” Dale, Seattle; four children: Jack (Valerie) Dale, New Market, Maryland; Carolyn Dale (Tim Pilgrim), Bellingham, Wash.; Brian (Cynthia) Dale, Everett, Wash.; Jan (Jamie) Koutsky, Seattle; as well as nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and six nieces and nephews and their families.

Remembrances may be made to the Salvation Army or a favorite charity.

Share memories of Mary on the Tribute Wall, located above.

Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle