Mary Margaret McEnroe Hansen, 81, of Baker City, died Dec. 29, 2007, at her home.
The rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets. A
Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at the cathedral. Inurnment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Mary Margaret was born on June 10, 1926, at Baker City to Joseph P. and Sarah Jean Bartshe McEnroe. She had two siblings, Joene and Joe.
She attended St. Francis Academy through elementary school and was a 1944 Baker High School graduate. She attended nursing school at St. Elizabeth in Baker City, graduating in 1947 with an associate degree in nursing as a registered nurse.
Mary Margaret married Charles D. Hansen on Sept. 11, 1948. The couple had three children: C. Douglas Hansen, who died in 1995; Mary Jo Grove; and Patricia Ann, who died at birth in 1961.
Mary Margaret retired from nursing when her son, Doug, was born in 1951. She spent many happy years raising her children and taking care of their home. She also worked for the Catholic Church on several different occasions.
One of her favorite jobs was that of serving as secretary for three legislative sessions: two with Mike Nelson and one with Mike Payne. She and Chuck lived at Salem during those sessions, a time they thoroughly enjoyed.
One of her favorite projects was sewing baby blankets with the “Grannies,” which she had done for almost 20 years. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, the Hospital Auxiliary, St. Francis Altar Society and her Birthday Club, all for more than 50 years each. She was voted Baker County Legacy Woman of the Year in 1999.
She and Chuck were strong and active supporters of school sports activities for more than 40 years. Anyone who knew Mary Margaret knew that she possessed a faith so strong that she made an example for all, her family said. She was very active in the Catholic Church and was considered the chief organizer for most events and functions that took place there.
Her family and friends meant everything to her.
She wrote in an anniversary letter to her friends and family, “Almost 50 years later, Chuck and Mary Margaret still love Baker Valley, the snow-capped mountains, the green fields, the desert sagebrush, the warm summer days, the cool summer evenings, the cold nippy winters, the first wildflowers. This is Baker, this is our home.”
Survivors include her daughter, Mary Jo, and her husband, Jim; her daughter-in-law, Debbie Hansen; her four grandsons, who were the pride and joy of her life, Marc Hansen, Casey Grove, Darren Hansen and Mitchell Grove; her brother, Joe McEnroe; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck; children, Doug and Patricia; her parents; and her sister, Joene.
Memorial contributions may be made to the “Grannies” quilt fund through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, January 2, 2008
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor