A dear friend, wonderful neighbor, and amazing woman who will be truly missed by all in the BR family.

Mary Pranger, 84, of Anacortes, died peacefully on February 17, 2010 at Fidalgo Care Center in Anacortes, Washington. She was born on May 21, 1925 in Yakima, Washington, the third daughter of Erling Helliesen and Camilla Kennon Dunbar Helliesen. Mary grew up in Yakima, spent many happy summers at the family cabin in Cliffdell, and attended the University of Washington. After WWII she married Ed Pranger, a Navy cartoonist, sign painter in Yakima. They had three children & lived in Yakima until moving to Los Gatos, California in 1956. There they raised their kids, and were active members of the Santa Clara Valley Horseless Carriage Club, where they made many good friends. They also enjoyed spending time at their beach cabin in Capitola. In 1980, after Ed retired, they moved back to Washington and built a house in Anacortes, where they have lived for the past thirty years. Mary was actively involved with the Anacortes Museum, and the Anacortes Library. She enjoyed antiquing, gardening, reading, sewing, knitting, architecture, interior design, and exploring old houses. Mary always had a dog, and loved the companionship and exercise that they provided. She is preceded in death by her parents, and by her three sisters, Sarah, Elinor, & Janet. Mary is survived by her husband of more than 60 years, Ed Pranger. She also leaves behind her daughters & son-in-law, Monica & Curt Oppel of Anacortes WA, and Connie Pranger & Val Greene of San Jose CA., and son & daughter-in-law, Jeff & Beth Pranger of Brookfield CT. Mary is also survived by her grandchildren: Meadow Stebbins of Sebastopol CA, Cory Oppel of Anacortes WA, Casey Greene of Davis CA, Amanda & Roger Greene of San Jose CA, and Jennifer & Cody Pranger of Brookfield CT. She leaves behind many nieces, nephews, her little dog, Holly, and many special friends who will miss her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made toward a memorial bench to be placed near a favorite dog-walking path. To contribute, write a check to the Anacortes Parks Foundation, put “Pranger Memorial” on the check, & mail it to the Anacortes Parks & Rec. Dept., P. O. Box 547, Anacortes WA 98221. Donations may also be made to AARF (Anacortes Animal Relief Fund), P.O. Box 906, Anacortes WA 98221. A private Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at a later date. The family wishes to thank the very kind and skilled staffs of Island Hospital and Fidalgo Care Center for the loving care they provided. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands.