Remembering Sis Pease

MARY HAIGHT “SIS” PEASE

TRUSTEE EMERITA 1924-2021

by Sharon Hurt, Director of Development

he ush chool said good ye in pril to an icon in the community with the passing of is ease. Sis Pease was a Bush teacher, coach, advocate, administrator, Trustee, Trustee Emerita, and the true em odiment of ush’s three pillars ruth, eauty, and urpose. e lost not only one of the direct connections to the school’s founder, Helen aylor ush, ut a tireless educator who elieved in the promise of education to change lives.”

- Percy L. Abram, Head of School

Mary H. “Sis” Pease passed away peacefully in Seattle, Washington, on April 25, 2021, at age 96. Born in Seattle to Ruth and Pierce Haight, she grew up in the Madison Valley neighborhood and on Bainbridge Island with her brothers, Gil and Warren. Ruth and Pierce both worked at The Bush School; Ruth ran the dormitory and dining room, and Pierce was a history teacher. Sis graduated from Bush in 1941 as student body president and captain of the basketball team. She earned her BA from Smith College in Massachusetts in 1945 and returned to Bush in 1946 to begin her teaching career.

In 1949 Sis married Otis Pease; they had four children and lived mostly in the Bay Area until 1966. They then moved to Seattle, where Sis resumed teaching history at Bush. She directed the Upper School from 1967-1976 and later became the college counselor. Following her retirement in 1991, she went into private practice as an independent college counselor, working with public school students in Seattle and beyond until she was in her early 90s. She also served for five years on the board of trustees at Hyla Middle School (Bainbridge Island) and for nine years as a Trustee at Bush. As a Bush Board member, Sis was known for her deep connections; any time a member left the Board, Sis would write and sing a limerick about them and their impact. When her Board services ended in 2007, Sis was named a Life Trustee and continued attending meetings until 2016. To honor her legacy, Sis will continue as the school’s first Trustee Emerita.

Sis was a connector of ideas and of people. Her relationships with students transcended more than their academic pursuits. Over five decades, five yearbooks were dedicated in her honor. As the years passed and the times changed, student testimonials to Mrs. Pease remained constant.

From 1949: “As our advisor, Miss Haight has won the respect and devotion of every member of the class through her constant interest and loyalty. Without her guidance and dependability, we never would have obtained class unity and spirit.”

From 1968: “She challenges us to think independently, to formulate our own ideas and opinions, and to be ourselves.”

From 1991: “If you want an empathetic, yet balanced, ear to listen to your plight, a perspective that puts humor and clarity into a philosophic puzzle, a person who helps others become their better selves because of the respect accorded to all, Sis is the one! … She can only enrich any community she joins. We will miss her every day.”

After her marriage ended in 1987, Sis continued her life as a strong, self-reliant woman who was passionate about education, the environment, social justice, and the arts. She loved her family deeply and kept in touch with many friends. Always ready to explore new places, Sis traveled to Europe, Asia, Canada, and across the U.S., often joining hiking, kayaking, or cross-country skiing groups. She spent as much time as possible at the family cabin on Guemes Island, her favorite place in the world.

Sis is survived by her brother, Warren (Tina); her sister-in-law, Shirley; her children, Jonathan Pease (Shu-nwan), Catherine Barnhart (Richard), Martha Khosa (Yingwana), and Emily Pease (Josh Daniel); eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Eternally tied to the place she held dear, Sis requested that donations be made in her name to The Bush School.

Mary “Sis” Pease extraordinary life was rooted in the people, place, and history of The Bush School, connecting our founder Helen Taylor Bush through generations to our current Head of School Percy L. Abram. Top L: Helen Taylor Bush (first row, second left) and Mary “Sis” Pease (back row, fifth left) in 1946. Top R: Head of School Percy L. Abram and Mary “Sis” Pease in 2016.