Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Mary Malone Holcomb of Spokane, Washington, who was nominated by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society (EWGS) . She was recognized for her dedicated volunteer efforts within EWGS and beyond.

Mary Malone Holcomb

Ms. Holcomb has been a member of EWGS since 1999 where she served as 1st Vice President for two years, long-time hospitality chair and library volunteer. Ms. Holcomb was a volunteer for the 1940 Census Roll-Out celebration promoted by the Spokane Public Library. She is also a volunteer and board member of the Evergreen Cemetery Association, helping lead their efforts to restore the cemetery grounds, research interments, and obtain military headstones for Civil War veterans buried there.

Ms. Holcomb’s varied volunteer activities also extend to the Spokane Firefighters Memorial Association, honoring local firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and as a “Lookup” volunteer for the Durham-Orange Genealogical Society in Durham, North Carolina.

Ms. Holcomb is a valued, important part of the EWGS. Her efforts illustrate that she richly deserved being a recipient of a 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.