No headline

Mary K. (Drissen) Hall, 81

Mary Katherine (Drissen) Hall peacefully went to rest from natural causes on June 14, 2018, with her long-term care provider and granddaughter, Monica E. Mitcham, CNA, by her side.

Mary was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Feb. 9, 1937, to Frank Joseph and Mary Ruth Drissen. Born and raised in Coeur d’Alene, she attended and graduated from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, affiliated with St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, in 1955.

After graduating from the academy, Mary attended North Idaho Junior College and Eastern Washington University, majoring in education. She taught second and third grade at Post Falls Elementary from 1958 to 1960.

In 1960 she married Robert L. Mitcham and relocated to Orofino, Idaho, in 1963, pursuing a career with the Idaho Department of Welfare at the State Hospital North. In 1966, she was remarried to her co-worker, Alvie “Reynold” Hall, and they both transferred to the State Hospital South in Blackfoot, Idaho, in 1972. Once retired, they relocated to Coeur d’Alene. Mary’s academic background served well to her advantage since she retired as a unit psychiatric team coordinator.

As well as a strong devotion to her family, Mary had a strong devotion to animals; she adopted many over the years, while many adopted her. She dedicated numerous hours after work as the former Bingham County Humane Society Treasurer while living in Blackfoot.

Mary is survived by two sons, Larry J. Mitcham of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Robert F. Mitcham of Coeur d’Alene; daughter, Mary M. Mitcham of Idaho Falls; six grandchildren, Nicole, Justin, Frank, Fabian, Monica and Jeremy; one great-grandchild, Christopher “CJ”; and her best friend ever, Jean Karlin of Coeur d’Alene. As an only child, Mary mentioned that Jean was the sister she never had, as both shared their passions for Bingo and animals. Mary was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Reynold. She was also preceded in death by her son, Ronald Gerrard Mitcham, in 1983.

A memorial service will be held at a later date and friends will be contacted by family members. Any former friends and acquaintances are encouraged to contact Mary’s family members at mitcham949@yahoo.com. A donation to the local Humane Society in Mary’s honor would also be greatly appreciated by her surviving family members.