Mary Frances Ganguet

Mary Frances Ganguet passed away on October 11, 2022, at Chaplaincy Hospice House in Kennewick with her daughters at her side. She was born to Percy and Edna McCormick Muirhead on February 7, 1927, in Waitsburg, Washington. She attended grade school in Waitsburg and found her weekly tap dance classes to be a highlight of her younger years.

The family moved to Walla Walla, where Mary graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1945, where she had many friends. Later years found her still corresponding with and visiting her old high school friends during her many travels. Mary completed her education at Walla Walla Business College and later worked in the business office at the Empire Furniture Store in Walla Walla.

While taking ballroom dance lessons, she met her future husband Elie Ganguet. They married at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Walla Walla on June 12, 1948, and they continued their love of dancing at the Walla Walla Elk’s Club.

The couple moved to the family wheat ranch at the foot of Minnick Hill near Waitsburg, where they farmed and made their home for 45 years until Elie’s death in 1993. Mary continued to be involved in farming the wheat ranch with her daughters.

Originally a city girl, Mary quickly learned the challenges of being a farm wife. She became a wonderful cook for the large harvest crews they had every summer and regularly drove into town for needed parts. Occasionally she helped deliver lambs, flagged farm machinery, and drove the pickup in the field to help rake hay. We always heard the story of Dad hanging on for dear life and trying to trip the hay rake as Mom was merrily driving fast!

After the passing of her husband, Mary built a home in Walla Walla and lived there until 2001, when she then moved to Moses Lake to be near her daughter Dianne. They enjoyed traveling every summer to a new destination; in 2009, Mary and her daughter moved to West Pasco.

Mary was a Hospice and Humane Society Volunteer who very much enjoyed reading and Live Theater. She also enjoyed knitting and was a 4-H knitting leader for many years. She loved history and was actively involved in genealogy research; she enjoyed sharing her numerous findings with friends and family. Mary also loved to travel, visiting many countries and traveled extensively throughout the U.S.

Mary was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland and belonged to the Benton-Franklin Humane Society, St. Cecilia Catholic Daughters of America in Walla Walla, Washington Association of Wheat Growers, Washington Farm Bureau and Walla Walla Pioneer and Historical Society (Fort Walla Walla).

With a vibrant smile which could brighten anyone’s day, Mary was a very caring woman who always had a kind word for everyone. Her grandchildren were very special to her; she enjoyed attending their events when they were growing up. She was thrilled to have two great-grandchildren to spoil in later years. She was deeply loved by her family and will be forever remembered in our hearts.

She is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law; June and Patrick Meiners of Kennewick and Dianne Rugg of West Pasco. She is also “Grandmary” to three grandchildren, Brandon (Lisa) of Pullman, Elaina (who was born on Mary’s birthday) of West Pasco, and Darrin (Angie) of Kennewick. She is GG to two great-grandchildren, Chloe Addison and Jaxson Patrick Meiners of Kennewick. Preceding her in death were her parents, beloved husband Elie, brothers Robert, Dennis, and John Muirhead, and sister Eileen Morikone.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Assumption Catholic Church on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at 11:00 AM.

Memorial contributions may be made to Fort Walla Walla Museum, Assumption Catholic Church, or a charity of your choice, in Mary’s memory, through Herring-Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA 99362.