Mary Jeannette (Poucher) Parkinson, 75, of Salem, died peacefully on June 30 from pancreatic cancer.
Mary was born November 14, 1943, in Omaha, Nebraska, to John and Helen (Johnston) Poucher. She and her family lived in Nebraska, Colorado, North Dakota and California, where she graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1961. Mary moved to Oregon to attend Oregon State University, graduating in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
She married Michael Paul Parkinson in Corvallis in 1967. They had two sons, Matthew Michael and Jon Fischer, and have lived in Corvallis and Salem.
Mary worked as a journalist in newsrooms at several papers: the Corvallis Gazette-Times, the Statesman Journal, the Albany Democrat-Herald and the Capital Press.
Mary was a member of the PEO Sisterhood. She was an avid reader and member of two books groups, one of which she helped found in Albany 30 years ago, and was a past member of the American Association of University Women.
Mary enjoyed many types of music, played the piano, the ukulele and, for a time, played hand bells at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. She traveled the world with her husband and close friends and continually improved her Spanish skills with multiple visits to Mexico. She was a dog lover who enjoyed a number of canine companions including a rescued greyhound. Mary was an excellent cook and lover of good food and wine, making regular visits to Willamette Valley’s excellent wineries.
Friends and colleagues remember her as “The World’s Nicest Person,” and an excellent “People Page” editor at the Democrat-Herald. Words used by her friends to describe Mary note that she was kindness personified, thoughtful, always willing to share, great with people, and she had a wry sense of humor.
Survivors include husband, Mike; sons, Matthew and his wife, Danielle McGrath of Portland and Jon and his wife, Summer of Bonny Lake, Washington; grandchildren, Isabella, Cole, Kai and Hadley Parkinson; twin sister, Patty Van Tuyl of South Portland, Maine; her beloved black Labrador, Inka Star, and many friends from all parts of her life who respected and loved her.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to the Willamette Valley Hospice or the American Cancer Society.
This news is a heartbreaker. I first knew Mary at 1st Presbyterian Church in dowtown Oakland, where she and her sister, Patty, attended Sunday school. When I returned to Oakland and entered the 9th grade at Claremont Jr. Hi, Mary and Patty were the first to recognize and welcome me. I had been to the Poucher's home on Taft Avenue several times. They were a wonderful family.
Mary was effervescent and full of joy. We followed each other on Facebook, and I wondered why she appeared to have dropped off. Mary, I will miss you!
MARY and I were best friends from 12 years old on. We were roommates at OSU and always kept in touch over the years. I was devastated when I heard of her illness, but she managed to live a good life for three and a half more years. She had a great attitude about her illness and lived her life to the fullest in those last years. I loved MARY so much, and I will miss her for all the days of my life.
Laurie, what a beautiful, heartfelt obituary for our beloved Mary. She was indeed kind, and I remember that she was also very smart and made many contributions to Tech. It is an honor to have been in the same class.
Bruce and I are saddened to hear of Mary's passing. Mary and Patty were among the very first friends I made at Clarmenont Junior High. She led a very interesting life and I know she will be sorely missed. Marilyn McQueen
I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. I remember her well, as well as her sister, Patty. I know she probably wouldn’t have remembered me. Few do. lol I know she will be missed so much by all those whose life she touched. Condolences to her family, and may she rest peacefully in Heaven.
Laurie Prusia (Dineen)
Mary Jeannette (Poucher) Parkinson, 75, of Salem, died peacefully on June 30 from pancreatic cancer.
Mary was born November 14, 1943, in Omaha, Nebraska, to John and Helen (Johnston) Poucher. She and her family lived in Nebraska, Colorado, North Dakota and California, where she graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1961. Mary moved to Oregon to attend Oregon State University, graduating in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
She married Michael Paul Parkinson in Corvallis in 1967. They had two sons, Matthew Michael and Jon Fischer, and have lived in Corvallis and Salem.
Mary worked as a journalist in newsrooms at several papers: the Corvallis Gazette-Times, the Statesman Journal, the Albany Democrat-Herald and the Capital Press.
Mary was a member of the PEO Sisterhood. She was an avid reader and member of two books groups, one of which she helped found in Albany 30 years ago, and was a past member of the American Association of University Women.
Mary enjoyed many types of music, played the piano, the ukulele and, for a time, played hand bells at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. She traveled the world with her husband and close friends and continually improved her Spanish skills with multiple visits to Mexico. She was a dog lover who enjoyed a number of canine companions including a rescued greyhound. Mary was an excellent cook and lover of good food and wine, making regular visits to Willamette Valley’s excellent wineries.
Friends and colleagues remember her as “The World’s Nicest Person,” and an excellent “People Page” editor at the Democrat-Herald. Words used by her friends to describe Mary note that she was kindness personified, thoughtful, always willing to share, great with people, and she had a wry sense of humor.
Survivors include husband, Mike; sons, Matthew and his wife, Danielle McGrath of Portland and Jon and his wife, Summer of Bonny Lake, Washington; grandchildren, Isabella, Cole, Kai and Hadley Parkinson; twin sister, Patty Van Tuyl of South Portland, Maine; her beloved black Labrador, Inka Star, and many friends from all parts of her life who respected and loved her.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to the Willamette Valley Hospice or the American Cancer Society.
Robert Knox
This news is a heartbreaker. I first knew Mary at 1st Presbyterian Church in dowtown Oakland, where she and her sister, Patty, attended Sunday school. When I returned to Oakland and entered the 9th grade at Claremont Jr. Hi, Mary and Patty were the first to recognize and welcome me. I had been to the Poucher's home on Taft Avenue several times. They were a wonderful family.
Mary was effervescent and full of joy. We followed each other on Facebook, and I wondered why she appeared to have dropped off. Mary, I will miss you!
Barbara Jean Bird (Sonnenshine)
MARY and I were best friends from 12 years old on. We were roommates at OSU and always kept in touch over the years. I was devastated when I heard of her illness, but she managed to live a good life for three and a half more years. She had a great attitude about her illness and lived her life to the fullest in those last years. I loved MARY so much, and I will miss her for all the days of my life.
Bill Owen
I'm sorry to hear of Mary's passing and am reminded that TODAY is all we have.My hope is that Mary enjoyed
a great deal of love and laughs along the way.
Bettye Wilson (Kearse)
Laurie, what a beautiful, heartfelt obituary for our beloved Mary. She was indeed kind, and I remember that she was also very smart and made many contributions to Tech. It is an honor to have been in the same class.
Marilyn Fazio (McQueen)
Bruce and I are saddened to hear of Mary's passing. Mary and Patty were among the very first friends I made at Clarmenont Junior High. She led a very interesting life and I know she will be sorely missed. Marilyn McQueen
Sherry Rubino (Metcalf)
I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. I remember her well, as well as her sister, Patty. I know she probably wouldn’t have remembered me. Few do. lol I know she will be missed so much by all those whose life she touched. Condolences to her family, and may she rest peacefully in Heaven.