Mary Ellen Scharff

Mary Ellen Scharff, 96, of Davenport, Washington, met her Lord and Savior face-to-face on June 9, 2025. She was born on August 10, 1928, in Wenatchee, Washington, to Clarence and Lucille (Rush) Guthrie. As the eldest of five children, Mary grew up in the Wenatchee/East Wenatchee area, graduating from Wenatchee High School in 1947.

From a young age, Mary dreamed of becoming a nurse, a calling that she pursued with passion. After high school, she enrolled at Whitworth University in Spokane, WA, where she studied nursing and volunteered at Deaconess Hospital. It was during her first year at Whitworth that she met her future husband, George Scharff. He was a brother of her classmate Margarette Scharff, and it didn’t take long for George to become a constant presence in her life. Their love story blossomed, and they were married on December 10, 1950.

Mary became George’s devoted helpmate as they began their life together in farming and ranching. In 1957, they moved their first home from the farm to Davenport, marking the beginning of a journey that would include 12 rental properties. Although Mary’s life was full of the challenges of raising children, managing a household, and supporting George, her passion for nursing never waned.

Once her children were in school, Mary returned to work as a nurse’s aide at Lincoln Hospital for many years, all the while remaining active in her community. She volunteered for many local organizations, including Care and Share, the Lincoln County Hospital Foundation, the Davenport Senior Center, and the Grange booth at the Lincoln County Fair. She also served in the sewing department at the fair, taught Vacation Bible School for several churches in the area, and was a member of the Rocklyn Homemakers Club and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). Additionally, Mary served as a board member of the Christian Women’s Club.

Mary and George began attending Trinity Bible Fellowship Church shortly after its founding in Davenport. Even before the church building was constructed, they were part of God's plan in purchasing the bare land where the church now stands. They attended faithfully throughout their lives, and it was at church that Mary’s deep love for the Lord and her family truly shone.

In 2002, Mary and George moved from the farm to a home in Davenport that George had rebuilt. Though she was involved in many activities and always busy with family and community, Mary's greatest joy was serving her Savior, Jesus Christ. She lived out her faith by example, teaching her children, grandchildren, and others to walk closely with the Lord.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, George Scharff; her sisters-in-law Margarette Unruh and Maxine Roth; and other family members who were dear to her. She is survived by her children: David (Trudy) Scharff, Dan (Georgia) Scharff, and Catherine Plumb; her siblings Bob Guthrie, Ruth Ballard, Dorothy Roberts, and Dick Guthrie; her sister-in-law Theresa Groves; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

You are warmly invited to a Celebration of Life for Mary to be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Bible Fellowship Church in Davenport, WA. A reception will follow the service.