Jessie Luster-McCabe, 89, died July 26, 2008.
There will be a private family celebration of her life on Aug. 9. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Casey Eye Institute in Portland through Burns Mortuary of Pendleton, P.O. Box 489, Pendleton, OR 97801.
Jessie was born on Sept. 17, 1918, to Elmer and Hill Hightower at Prague, Okla. She married Gilbert Luster in 1937 while he was stationed at Fort Sill, Okla. Jessie and Gilbert raised seven children, living in Cascade and Boise, Idaho. They moved to Baker City where Gilbert operated a logging truck operation and Jessie pulled green chain at the Oregon Lumber Mill Co.
Later Jessie operated the Third and Dewey Market in Baker City for six years.
In 1959, Jessie moved her family to Pendleton where she worked at Gunther’s Restaurant, Cimmiyotti’s, and the Elks Club (along with other businesses) and made many friends.
Jessie married John McCabe in 1971. Rounding out her retirement “Grandma Jessie” was a foster grandparent with Beth Fry at Hawthorne Elementary School in Pendleton.
Jessie will be fondly remembered for her sense of humor and her willingness to love and support her family.
“She was just in her ways, industrious and always fair,” family members said. “She loved her children more than anything – always putting them first. We love you Grandma Jessie.”
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Gilbert Luster, who died in 1953, and John McCabe, who died in 1988; her son, Wes Luster, who died in 2003; her brother, Ray Hightower; and her parents, Elmer and Hill Hightower.
Survivors include her children, Philena Thompson of Boise, Sue Shelton of Baker City, Bev Crawford of Pendleton, Rosie Summers of Springfield, Jim Luster of Spokane, Wash., and Bonnie O’Hara of Boise; her sister, Wilma Moos of Florida; her brother, Ralph Hightower of Oklahoma; 21 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren.
Burns Mortuary of Pendleton handled the arrangements.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, August 7, 2008
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor