Moscow, ID - Mary Ellis VanDuker Hannon, age 85 of Moscow, Idaho passed away on May 19, 2025 in Seattle, Washington after complications from a heart surgery.

Mary Ellis was born in Gainesville, Texas and was still connected to high school friends from there. She worked two separate times as a secretary; in the late 1950's in a security classified role for USAF Security Service, and in the 1980's for Nebraska Wesleyan University.

In 1962, she married John after they played Mary & Joseph in the 1960 church Christmas pageant. Together over the years they shared a love of travel, both domestic and international, visiting every US state and every continent except Antarctica.

Mary Ellis was an active volunteer in many capacities at the churches she attended, including serving as a Presbyterian deacon & elder. She was a Cub Scout den mother and Girl Scout leader for her kids' troops.

She loved arts & crafts of many types, including sewing (she sewed her own wedding dress and made most of her kids' clothes), quilting, ceramics, knitting & crocheting, and leatherwork. She won multiple state fair ribbons for knitting & ceramics.

One of her main delights was in spending time with her grandchildren & great-grands. There were often cooking, baking or crafting projects, with her gentle guidance showing the way. She & John took all of their grandchildren on international trips around age 13.

Mary Ellis is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years, John, and three children: Bet (Va Nee), Greg (Laurie) and Jeff (Cathy). She is also survived by sisters Sherry (Pat) and Carla, four granddaughters and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 14 at 10 AM at Community Congregational United Church of Christ in Pullman, Washington. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, June 21, at 10 AM at Fairview Cemetery in Gainesville, Texas.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.