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Mary Jane Richards Widenoja ’39

Mary Jane Richards Widenoja ’39, August 31, 2003, in her home near Christmas Valley, Oregon, following a short illness. Mary attended Reed and the University of Oregon before marrying Niilo Widenoja in 1942. The couple lived in Tillamook County until 1969 when the family moved to a high desert alfalfa farm near Ft. Rock, Oregon. In addition to her responsibilities on the farm, Mary kept a connection to the Ft. Rock Grange, the local PTA, and other community activities. She is remembered by her thoughtful and polite devotion to friends and family, her sense of humor, and her easy, musical laugh. She identified the care and guidance of her three sons, who have survived her, as a great honor in her life. "Every year has been fine, pleasurable, exciting!" Survivors also include four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Her husband predeceased her.

Appeared in Reed magazine: November 2003

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