Mary Ellen Hoioos

Mary Hoioos ObituaryVisit the Covenant Funeral Service - Stafford website to view the full obituary.Mary Ellen Hoioos, 90, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026, at home. She was born October 12, 1935 in Council, Idaho to Sylvester "Jake" Farrell and Ellen Evelyn (Eklund) Farrell,She was raised on the Farrell Ranch in New Meadows, Idaho homesteaded by her grandfather in 1887. Mary lost her mother when she was just 4 years old. The loss was deeply felt for the remainder of her life. She often referred to her Brother Charles as her savior in helping her through a difficult childhood. His selfless and loving support allowed her to make it through those very difficult years. Mary graduated from Pocatello High School in 1952 at the age of 16 and attended the University of Idaho. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. It was at the University of Idaho that she met the love of her life, Rodney Hoioos.Mary and Rod were married in New Meadows, Idaho on July 18, 1954. Rod became an Air Force pilot and they embarked on a nomadic military life together that took them to Texas, Georgia, Washington State, Alaska and many other duty stations. Along the way they welcomed a daughter and two sons. Rod joined American Airlines in 1967 and the family moved to Virginia. They made their final move to Marlborough Point in Stafford, Virginia in 1977 and have called it home ever since. They immensely enjoyed living on the banks of the Potomac River.Mary worked several part time jobs but what she loved most was being a homemaker and mom. She became a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician in 1982 and served proudly with the Stafford Rescue Squad for over a decade. She saved many lives along the way. In her free time she enjoyed a lifelong love of reading. Her favorite book was The Secret Garden which imbued her with the power of positive thinking. She produced amazing quilts that will be treasured for many generations to come. She made the best angel biscuits and cherry almond pie. She chose to spread joy in the world.Mary is preceded in death by her son James "Jimmy" Hoioos, son-in-law Bill Dawson and bother Charles Farrell. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Rodney Hoioos, daughter Sue Dawson of Eagle, Idaho and son Tom (Sharon) of Bumpass, Virginia, seven beloved grandchildren; Nick Dawson, Elizabeth (Nick) Jones, Erin (Abhay) Patil, Kate Hoioos, Meg (Charlie) Wise, Jake Hoioos, Matt Hoioos; three great-grandchildren Charlie Jones, Maddox Jones and Ellie Patil and her beloved dog Wendy.A memorial service is planned for Saturday March 21 at 1:00pm at Andrew Chapel UMC, 1732 Brooke Rd, Stafford, VA.In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in her honor to Andrew Chapel UMC.You lived life with a steadfast determination, always gave of yourself to others and cheerfully smiled even in the worst of times. We will greatly miss you Mary, mom, grandma and great-grandma.Read The Full Obituary