Obituary for
Mary E. White
Mary Elizabeth (January) White, 78, passed peacefully after a brief illness on December 15th, 2017. Born February 13, 1939 in Coos Bay, Mary graduated from North Salem High School. Mary attended one year of college at Brigham Young University in Provo, UT before moving to Washington DC to work for the FBI. Here is where she honed her excellent clerical skills and developed her love of politics and the law.
Throughout her career she worked in advertising having the opportunity to travel to conventions meeting other members of International Association of Women in Radio and Television Advertising. She then moved to job with her true love of the law, working in the District Attorney’s office of Washington County. While here she joined other professional organizations such as Legal Secretary’s Association.
She lived in California for approximately 7 years after the birth of her first 2 grandchildren. While in California she worked for the Federal Department of Agricultural. With the birth of her third grandchild she moved “home” to Oregon reestablishing her residence in Hillsboro. During these semi-retirement years, she had several “fun jobs”. She worked as a prescient worker on many elections. She was a census taker traveling to people’s homes that had not responded. She enjoyed meeting and talking to people and had a way of making them feel important. One Valentine’s Day holiday, she even working at a Florist helping with deliveries.
In her spare time, she enjoyed bowling, playing bingo (and numerous board games in her different home communities) and traveling to Spirit Mountain Indian Casino in Lincoln City. She loved the coast and never missed an opportunity to travel there. She loved walking on the beach and listening to the ocean. She was active in North Salem High School Alumni Association, enjoying regular luncheons with her classmates. For as long as anyone can remember she has loved covered bridges. She enjoyed studying the history and finding ones to visit in Oregon and Californian. For years she was an active member of the Covered Bridge Association of Oregon, attending meetings, traveling to different locations and participating in fund raising efforts to preserve and restore these icons of history.
Mary was also an avid sports fan. She followed all sports, but was particularly fond of Football, Baseball and Golf. She enjoyed going to professional games, whenever possible. Over the years you could find her in the stands for the sporting events of her children/ grandchildren and the children/grandchildren of her friends.
Mary was proceeded in death by her son, Max White. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Arbuckle (Jeff) of Roseville, CA. Her grandchildren; Brandon Warner of Roseville, CA., Kirsten Warner of Hayward, CA, Travis White (Chelsea) of McMinnville, OR and Natalie White of Newport, OR. She was also blessed with the birth of her Great-grandson Max just prior to her death.
As was her request, there will be no services. Remembrances can be made in her name to your local Food Bank and Children’s support agencies.
