The late Representative Mary Skinner and her husband, Hal, were remembered by 800 of their closest friends, including Governor Gregoire and Secretary of State Reed, for exemplary lives well-lived.

The “celebration of life” went on for three hours Saturday afternoon, with 28 speakers, ranging from the governor and Reed, to Hal’s elk hunting buddy and Mary’s fellow Latino activists, according to the dispatch the Yakima Herald-Republic.  Mary Skinner, 63, died in February after a long and public battle with cancer, just  a few short weeks after Hal Skinner died of heart disease.

The governor said Mary Skinner’s journey from being the daughter of migrant workers to being a much-loved legislator is an inspiration to all.  Reed praised Skinner’s emphasis on caring and civility, and said “What an amazing and graceful life. My dear friend Mary was a true first citizen of our times.”