Mary Walsh Seidel

Mary W. Seidel - The Story of my Life

Mary Elizabeth Walsh was born at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY. She was the younger of two children, having a brother William (Bill). Mary was extremely proud of her Irish heritage. Both of her parents were born in Ireland before immigrating to the United States where they met and married. Her father was a non-commissioned officer assigned to the garrison, with the responsibility of supporting the cadets and other members of the staff at the Academy. Her mother raised their family. Mary attended grade school at West Point, and enjoyed the freedom of being a kid on a military installation with a lot of great places to explore with the other military “brats.” After her father retired the family moved to the nearby Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY. She graduated from the high school there in 1954, in a class of 13 (7 girls and 6 boys).
After briefly working at a clothing factory in Highland Falls, NY Mary moved to the Washington, DC area where she began her long career in the federal civil service. Her first job there was at the Civil Aviation Agency (now the Federal Aviation Administration). She also worked at the headquarters of the US Army’s Military District of Washington. She married for the first time and lived in Virginia. Her two children, Claire and Charles were born there. Her husband’s career took her to Minneapolis, MN and San Francisco, CA before returning to Virginia. Following her divorce she worked at the Office of the Army Surgeon General while raising her children. It was here that she met her husband, Fred, an active duty Army officer. They were married in 1975.
His Army career took them to several varied assignments across the country, including Honolulu, HI, San Antonio, TX, and Denver, CO before returning again to the Washington, DC area. During those years Mary was able to continue her career in the civil service. Her last position was as a White House Liaison Specialist in the Office of the Army Chief of Staff, at the Pentagon. Mary completed her almost 40 year career of government service in September 2001. She retired the week before September 11th, so was not in the Pentagon on the day of the attack. She did however lose several friends and co-workers that day. After her retirement she and Fred moved to Fort Collins, CO for 4 years, before settling in Port Orchard.
Mary received many accolades, certificates, and awards during her long career. She was however especially proud of the recognition by the members of the 4th Infantry Division, “The Old Guard” for the support that she provided to them during her years at the Pentagon.
Mary was never a “joiner” of clubs and other groups, working full time during her marriage. She was however a member of several Officers’ Wives Clubs at the installations where they were assigned. She enjoyed all of the service activities of these groups, and the social interactions. After retirement Mary became a member of the Fort Collins chapter of the AARP, and participated in activities to support other seniors in the community.
Mary treasured all of the friendships that she made with co-workers and other military family members. She had developed close relationships with other wives of the Medical Service Corps, in which Fred served. She maintained contact with them after retirement, and enjoyed renewing these friendships during the reunions of the Silver Caduceus Association.
Mary’s fondest memories are of her childhood, growing up at the US Military Academy. She often reminisced about playing with her brother and the other military children. She remembered attending many Army football games where her father worked in a hot dog stand giving her free meals. She also enjoyed exercising the cadets’ polo ponies, ice skating on the academy reservoir, swimming in the Hudson River, and attending church at the Cadet Chapel.
During their marriage and especially after retirement Mary enjoyed travel. She and Fred went on several cruises in the Caribbean, in Europe, and to Alaska. They also traveled in several European and Asian countries. She visited Ireland twice, the second time with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. She was proud to share her heritage, and to visit her parents’ home towns with her family. Her last big adventure was a trip to Scotland with Fred and her daughter and son-in-law.
All of her life Mary enjoyed singing. She was a member of a wives club choral group, sang with members of her office, and participated in the Celebration Choir at the First Lutheran Community Church. After retirement she was also able to devote more time to reading, and devoured books by Nora Roberts and Danielle Steele.
Mary enjoyed her time at home and with her family. She also was an active participant in social support groups and mission areas of her church. She wanted to help others, and to contribute to her community. She cherished the past several years in Port Orchard where she could develop closer ties to her grandchildren.
Mary was a lifelong Chocoholic. She loved chocolate Easter bunnies, Santas, hot fudge sundaes, or any chocolate candy, especially dark. Also her favorite items included anything Irish. She had many souvenirs from her trips, Irish clothing, and keepsakes. She cherished the few items that she had received from her mother and father. Her favorite flowers were roses, not surprising for an Irish lass. She loved their variety of colors and fragrances. She planted rose bushes at all of their homes across the country. She did not have one favorite color, but enjoyed anything bright and beautiful.

Mary had no pets since 1993 when the family dog Hobo had passed away. She had developed an affinity for Shih Tzus, becoming acquainted with two lovable guys who belonged to friends. She was never able to find the right two dogs to adopt, however.

Services are pending due to COVID-19.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Foundation or other similar organizations.