Mary L. Cherry, 77, a 51-year resident of Oak Harbor, died at Bellingham Health Care and Rehabilitation Services Nov. 27.

Mrs. Cherry was born in Peiping, China, on Nov. 15, 1928. She married Melvin D. Cherry on Nov. 3, 1952, in Hong Kong. They moved as a family to NAS Whidbey Island in 1953 and then transferred to Guam, San Diego, San Francisco, and again back to Whidbey. In 1961, they made Whidbey Island their permanent home.

Mary was a member of the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. She is survived by her son Donald Cherry and wife Lori of Kent and two granddaughters, Heather and Hanna. She was preceded in death by her husband Mel on March 20, 2004.

Visitation will be Thursday, Dec. 1, from 1 to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. until noon at Burley Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will follow at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church at 2 p.m. Inurnment will take place at Maple Leaf Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.