Mary Ellen Stenso Pernichele

It is with very heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Mary Ellen Stenso Pernichele.  She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, auntie, grandmother and friend. Mary dedicated her entire life to selflessly caring for the people around her and tirelessly committed her life to making the world a kinder, greener, and more beautiful place.  Mary was a talented and creative seamstress, needleworker, knitter, gardener and cook, who tirelessly expressed her love by creating gifts for her family and friends.  Throughout her life, Mary was passionately involved in a variety of progressive causes, from revolutionizing education, to improving the food supply, to the arts, to recycling, and politics. Her uniquely fierce spirit, bottomless heart and quirky sense of humor are deeply missed.

Mary was born on March 11, 1940 in Grafton, North Dakota to Inar and Agnes Stenso. Despite the early loss of her father, she enthusiastically participated in the student council, pep club, and National Science Fair on behalf of Grafton High.  College brought her degrees in elementary education and the love of her life, Albert Pernichele. 

The young couple soon relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Mary taught elementary school for several years and had three children. While raising them, she was also instrumental in founding and supporting Thoreau School and later Salt Lake’s Open Classroom, where she inspired many children to learn independently and follow their innate artistic and intellectual passions. The Open Classroom still inspires Utah children today.  

The family moved to Fairfax, Virginia where Mary and Albert welcomed their fourth child. They then returned to Holladay, Utah, where Mary continued her work with the Open Classroom and made many life-long friends. They then moved to Denver, Colorado for a decade, where Mary worked at Tagawa’s Garden Center and earned her certification as a Master Gardener.

In 1998, Mary and Albert retired to Montana’s beautiful Bitterroot Valley. They owned and operated Frost Top Orchard in Corvallis for 28 years, producing some of the valley’s tastiest apple cider, raspberry jam and fresh honey. Here, Mary made many dear and high-spirited friends who shared her passion and commitment to local arts, natural conservation, and improving the community. She was a proud Montana Democrat.

Mary is survived by her children, Gwen Reddish (Patrick), Anne Mantell (Elliott), Matt (Kelly), and Gretchen (Bryan), and her five grandchildren, Max, Finn, Sophia, Henry and Tori. 

A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held Sunday, 13 September, at 634 Quast Lane, Corvallis, MT at 3 p.m. Please RSVP to Gretchen 801-556-5587.