Mary Ellen Verdal

Mary Ellen (Jones) Verdal passed away in Sandpoint on December 22, 2024, at the age of 98. She was born, in Sandpoint, on August 27, 1926 to Beatrice and Thomas Jones. She was the youngest child, with sister Iris and brother Jack. Her parents and sister had emigrated from Wales in 1920 Mary’s family home was on Second Avenue, not far from where her father’s tailor and dry cleaning shop was located. The Joneses were active members of St. Agnes Episcopal Church.

Mary attended nearby Farmin School from 1932 – 40 and Sandpoint High School from 1940 – 44. She was ill a great deal during elementary school, having ear problems beginning at the age of 5. Surgery at the age of 12 left her without hearing in her left ear and kept her from swimming in the beautiful lake. She did skate on the frozen lake, and spent time riding her bike, when weather permitted, but those activities were mostly with friends: She was a “People Person” from early on. Some of those friends were cherished for a lifetime. She enjoyed several artistic hobbies, including dancing, painting and music. Mary played clarinet in the high school band.

After graduation, she worked at Farragut Naval Training Center in the Ross Hall photo lab. Her fondness for the arts and her work in photography lead her to attend the Vogue Art Institute in Chicago for two semesters. Back in her beloved Sandpoint after the war, she renewed acquaintances with Thor Verdal. They dated for several months and were married on May 3, 1947. Son Larry was born in September 1948 and his brother, Bob/Moose was born in December 1950. The young family spent their time between the Jones and Verdal Families, both in town. 

In 1955, Mary began working at the Ross Rexall Drug store on the very busy corner of First and Cedar. Over the years as a customer service clerk, she met so many people, made good friends and got involved in several social groups, including a bowling team and “Hobby Club.” Living next door to her parents, there was a tight family bond, and Mary was a vital helper as her parents, Aunt and Uncle aged. She began assuming more responsibility at St. Agnes, and got involved with the Altar Guild, for many years. As the neighborhood kids, friends and relatives found out, the Verdal door was never locked. The sons were married and their young families were so welcomed, supported and dearly loved.

Thor became an active member of Elks Lodge 1376 and Mary enjoyed the activities and became a supportive “Lady Elk” as Thor went through the chairs. She enjoyed the traveling and making new friends. No friends were closer than “Friends for Life” Bill and Barb Remmers. In 1982, a young pharmacist asked Mary if she would consider joining him in opening a new business. Mary and Thor partnered with Dwayne and Karla Sheffler to open Pioneer Pharmacy on Highway 2. Just a few years into this endeavor, Thor passed away suddenly, and the store became an important place to help her go forward. Mary retired in 1990, but Karla and Dwayne were her partners through her final days.

In her retirement, Mary stayed active in St. Agnes, volunteered with Bonner General Hospital Auxilliary and was involved with Beta Sigma Phi. Her hobbies involved sewing, knitting, painting and gardening. Retired and without Thor, Mary became “The Matriarch” and was even more involved with family time. Her telephone was her lifeline to keep in touch. She was able to travel with the Verhei’s the Remmers and her brother Jack and Joan, including at trip to “the old country” of England and Europe. She was on the Oregon coast with best friend Marcia Caillier, on 9/11. (Together they had listened to the Pearl Harbor reports together, on the Jones family radio.)

Mary sold her home on Elm Street and moved to Luther Park in 2009. While her hearing was never good and her vision declined, Mary continued to make new friends and renew earlier friendships. She began attending First Lutheran Church, next door, and was warmly welcomed by the congregation. All who met Mary found a friend who was ready with a warm smile, a story about Sandpoint or a mutual acquaintance and a hearty laugh. As she out-lived so many friends, their children or grandchildren continued to check in with Mary. She was an important connection to the past, for so many. 

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Thor, son Bob, daughters-in-law Vicki and Trisha, her sister Iris, her brother Jack (and Joan), her great granddaughter Darlene and her great, great granddaughter Adonya. She was also preceded in death by a German Shepherd named Smokey, nephews Gary and Jack and all of the in-laws of her generation – The Greatest Generation.

“The Matriarch” is survived by her son Larry, grandchildren Bobbi (Curtis) Quenzer, Nina Verdal, Randy Verdal, Anne (Darrick) Hayman and Andrea (Rob) Ryan, great grandchildren David, Craig, Caitlynn, Darian, Micaela, Alora, Shayna, Tommy, Brady, Mackenzie and Nora, six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews and their families.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30am on March 29, at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, on Highway 2, Sandpoint. A reception will follow, with details to be determined.