MARY "MIM" KAY BILLMAN

Mary Kay “Mim” (Pufka) Billman, 57, Steilacoom, Wash., formerly of Altoona, passed away peacefully from complications of carcinoid cancer on Feb. 25, 2017, at her residence, under hospice care and surrounded by her family.

She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Joseph and Janet (Martin) Pufka. On Aug. 2, 1986, she married Paul Billman in Altoona.

Surviving are her husband; four children: Jamie, Zachary, Elle and Sarah; two brothers: Joe (Patty) Pufka of Altoona, and Steve Pufka of Newark, Del.; a sister, Paula Heuston of Fresno, Calif.; and four nieces and nephews: Matt Burgess and Adam (wife, Leanne and daughter, Livia), Jared and Jordan Pufka.

She was preceded in death by an infant son, Joseph; an infant brother, John; her aunt, Helen Pufka, who was very involved in Mim's upbringing; a sister-in-law, Lisa Belsey Pufka; a brother-in-law, Jo Heuston; and several other beloved relatives.

Mim was a 1977 graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School. She went on to Geisinger Medical Center Nursing School, obtaining a registered nursing license in 1979. She then earned her BSN from University of Pittsburgh in 1985. Over the course of her career, Mim served her community as a nurse at multiple medical centers, most recently working as a school nurse for Clover Park School District.

She and her husband lived in Eugene, Ore., Edmond, Okla., and Lakewood, Wash., before they built a home with their children in Steilacoom, Wash., in 2005.

Mim loved reading; cheering on the Seattle Sounders; gardening; walking her favorite dog, Carson; and a good cup of coffee. She was an avid biker, completing multiple organized rides, including the 2015 Seattle to Portland (STP) on a tandem bike. In addition to biking, she enjoyed sharing good times with her cherished friends and family.

A celebration of life honoring Mim will be held with a memorial service  on Saturday July 8, 2017 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church at 10 am by Monsignour  Robert Mazur.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave., Seattle, WA 98109, or Oregon Health and Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239.