Mary Evangeline Vanderwal, 81, died on September 20, 2015 at Evergreen Hospice Center in Kirkland, Washington a few short months after being diagnosed with cancer. Mary was born on March 26, 1934 in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Harry and Arvilla Starner. The family moved to Bethlehem, PA where Mary attended school and was a leader in the Baptist Youth Fellowship and a founder of the First Baptist Church’s Camp Ichthus youth summer camp. She graduated from Liberty High School in Bethlehem, PA in 1952 and from Rider College in 1953.
In 1958, Mary married Norman Vanderwal of Portland, Oregon and they lived in Bath, Pennsylvania for 30 years. Mary was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem and the Bethlehem Garden Club. Mary and Norm moved to Kirkland, WA in 1991 where they were members of Bellevue Presbyterian Church. Mary served two terms as an Elder and was part of the youth program and Inner Healing Prayer teams.
Mary is survived by her husband Norman Vanderwal; her daughter Kathy Dubé; grandson Stephen; sister Nancy Spiegel; and brothers Eugene Starner and Mark Starner. A memorial service will be held on Sunday October 18 at 2 PM at Bellevue Presbyterian Church. Memorial donations can be sent in her name to Camp Ichthus, 2880 Stagecoach Road West, Palmerton, PA 18071, where a memorial fund has been established.