Mary Spitzer Dominique

March 26, 1933-November 8, 2022

Our amazing mother, Mary Spitzer Dominique, died on November 8, 2022 of complications from an aneurysm. She was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas to John S. Redfern and Lottie Bell McGarrah. She was the youngest of seven and when she was 10 years old, she moved to Gresham, OR where she graduated from high school in 1951. She then went on to Oregon State University on a majorette scholarship for one year, married and had two children, Jim and Shannon. After that, she met and married Donald Spitzer, a Crown Zellerbach engineer and that was how they came to live in Cathlamet, Washington in 1958. They had a daughter, Signe. After Don passed in 1977, mom met and married Mel Dominique in 1980. They both enjoyed life to the fullest living on the water and sharing their time with many friends and family. Mel passed away in 2014, and since then life wasn't ever the same for mom. She was heartbroken after losing him. Shortly after that, she lost her son, Shannon Spitzer.

Our mother loved her community and she wouldn't have lived anywhere else. She was a Cathlamet Woman's Club member for many years and volunteered her time at the local library. She worked selling ads for The Wahkiakum County Eagle, as a bank teller at the Bank of Pacific, and managed the local liquor store. In 1978, she created and patented "The Box of Love." In doing so, she traveled all over the country selling the box at gift shows. After the "Box of Love" was a hit, she created "The Birthday Box" and "The Friendship Box." She was an advocate for the Julia Butler Hansen Swimming Pool as she felt it was so important for every child to learn how to swim. She loved swimming, and at age 65, she participated in the Nike World Master's Games in Portland, OR placing 4th in the 400 meter breast stroke. She also enjoyed her weekly card games: playing Bridge, Pinochle, and Bunco. She spent many weekends visiting her grandchildren and great grandchildren at her daughter's house. She enriched the lives of others and never lost her enthusiasm for life. She had a certain charm and wisdom for all who met her.

She is survived by her son Jim Spitzer (Dru) Longview, WA; and her daughter Signe Sause (Craig) Camas, WA. She had seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Her husbands, her son Shannon, her brothers, Leon Redfern, Bud Redfern and sisters Hazel Selvidge, Quindle Heinrick, Freda Moon, and Juanita Nusbaum all preceded her in death.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life on December 3, 2022 at 12:00 noon in the Julius A. Wendt Multi-Purpose Room to honor our mother. Family and friends are invited to the Mile 38 Brew Pub for an honorary toast from 2:00-4:00 after the service.

Please send Memorial Contributions to the Julia Butler Hansen Swimming Pool or the Wahkiakum County Library.

- Paid Obituary -