Mary Kathryn Swarthout

Mary Kathryn Swarthout, 95, passed away peacefully with her husband in

Redmond, Oregon on October 3rd, 2026. She lived her life to the fullest,

and her memory will live on in the hearts of her family.

Mary was born on June 30th, 1931 in Portland, Oregon to William and

Beatrice Eilertson. She and her older sister, Margaret “Midge,” spent

their childhood visiting their grandparents farm and participating in

the Rose Festival annually where Mary was a rosebud princess.

After high school, Mary enrolled at University of Oregon to pursue

education studies. She was also involved in Greek life on campus, a

member of Alpha Omicron Pi. It is there where she met her future

husband, Leslie “Ray” Swarthout, during a dance social. The two were

lovingly paired up together because of their similar short statures.

Despite their height, their love grew far beyond their wildest dreams.

They married in 1951 and welcomed their first daughter, Cynthia, into

the world. While Ray served in the Korean War, Mary moved back to

Portland to be with her family, expecting their second daughter, Sherry.

Once Ray returned home safely, the two set their sights east to Burns,

Oregon where the Swarthouts owned and operated a Shell station and Dodge

dealership. Together, the two managed the shell gas station in Burns for

over 45 years. While Ray worked in the family business, Mary certainly

had plenty to keep her busy with the additions of two more daughters,

Karen and Deanna. Raising her children was the joy of her life. Through

the girl’s childhood Mary instilled the traditions of Sundays at church,

holidays with extended family, large family reunions and enjoying all

outdoor activities Oregon has to offer. Mary loved to ski, fish, hunt,

camp, snow mobile and soak up the surrounding beauty of Harney county

and beyond. Her children highlight yearly Cultus Lake trips that were a

mixture of laughter, home cooking, and family time with her sister

Midge, her husband, Ralph Nevills, and their children Bill, Tom and Nancie.

Mary also was heavily involved in the community. Some of the many

memberships she held included Jaycee Women, Order of the Eastern Star,

and Epsilon Sigma Alpha. She also was a deacon at First Presbyterian

Church in Burns, taught at headstart preschool and participated in

bridge club for decades. Through these connections she had lifelong

friendships she cherished often spent around a table at Broadway Deli in

Burns.

As her daughters married and set off on their own paths, Mary deeply

developed her own hobbies. She was a talented gardener, watercolorist,

and card maker. Her true talent, however, was as a grandmother. Mary was

lucky enough to have five grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren

and two great great grandchildren. With all these family members, Mary’s

love never seemed to dissipate, but only flourished. She was a never

ending source of comfort, kindness, and love. She had a laugh that

easily infected the family members around her into “giggle fits.” She

always was there to offer a hug or a cookie, whichever would comfort

more, and she gave undivided attention and love to those in her circle.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the

privilege of knowing her.

Mary is survived by her beloved husband, Ray; her daughters, Cindy,

Sherry, Deanna; her grandchildren, Stacy, Brandon, Darcy, Kristen,

McKenna; her great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, extended

family and friends who treasured her presence. She was preceded in death

by her sister, Margaret; parents, William and Beatrice; and daughter,

Karen.

Please join us for Mary’s memorial service at the Burns Cemetery on

October 16th, 2026 at three in the afternoon.