Mary Kay Doody

1938 - 2010

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Mary Kay Doody, 72, died the morning of Friday July 23, 2010, in Coupeville Washington, from the effects of a lengthy illness.
Mary Kay was born on Saturday May 21, 1938 in Washington, D.C. The family moved to New Jersey, where she attended St. Anastasia's grade school, and St. Cecilia's High School. She attended Boston College, then graduated from Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles with a degree in biology after the family moved out west.
Mary Kay taught science at Mayfield High School in Pasadena, and in the Los Angeles public school system. She and two colleagues founded the West Coast Biological Supply Company in Los Angeles, serving the needs of science teaching nationwide.
In 1976, Mary Kay and her partner Ms. Travis Foote moved to Whidbey Island Washington. She became one of the founders of "Save The Trees" in 1978, using her science background to survey flora and fauna in a forest across from South Whidbey State Park that was scheduled for clear-cutting. The site, known as Classic U, was subsequently incorporated into the park.
On the island that she loved, Mary Kay served as an award-winning reporter for the Everett Herald, the South Whidbey Record, and was the county reporter for the Whidbey News-Times. In 1994 she founded the Coupeville Examiner. She sold the newspaper in 2006; it is now the Whidbey Examiner.
Mary Kay celebrated 35 years of sobriety on April 11, 2010. She cherished her Irish heritage, and in 2006 obtained dual citizenship.
Mary Kay is survived by her younger brother, David Doody of Altadena, California, and by many longtime friends on Whidbey Island. Her memorial service on Saturday, July 31, at 4 p.m. overflowed the community room at the Coupeville Library, 788 NW Alexander St.

Card that Laura made
for Mary Kay's memorial.
Click for PDF.

Micky, David, Laura and Roxxi, with the Port
of Coupeville wharf visible through the fog.
Taken by Mitch on the morning of July 31, 2010.

Mitch, Micky, Roxxi and Laura outside
Kneed and Feed. Taken by David on the
morning of July 31, 2010.

Mary Kay with her brother David aboard s.v. Almitra
at Ventura Harbor, California, 1987.

Following her father on his 80th birthday
along a trail in the Cascades, 1988.

With father David F. Doody Sr.
outside her home in Los Angeles
c. 1965 (note Citroen truckette
"Doodymobile" in background)

With parents and brother on Christmas 1973 in Santa Monica.
Mary black Kay's dog "Pooch" is just barely visible in front
of her in the full-size image.