La Grande, Oregon
Mary Jean Morris, 78, of La Grande died Feb. 19, 2004, at Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande.
A service in celebration of her life was at 11 a.m. today at Mount Hope Cemetery.
She was born on May 7, 1925, at La Grande to Easton and Maurine Thompson Metcalf. She spent her early childhood in La Grande. The family moved to Telocaset and later to Durkee following her father’s career with the railroad. She was a Baker High School graduate. After graduation, she went to work for Woolworth’s in Baker City.
She married Robert “Chuck” Morris on Nov. 9, 1945, at Baker City. They moved to Seattle when Chuck joined the service. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and they returned to Baker City.
They moved to La Grande in 1950. In 1965, they purchased property at Wallowa Lake and started to build their dream cabin. Mary Jean and her husband were proud to say that they did all the construction, except the electrical work. Once completed they spent all their free time enjoying a job well done with family and friends.
Mary Jean enjoyed cooking, bowling, playing bridge, walking, gardening, golfing, reading, knitting, waterskiing, and most of all spending time with family at the lake.
Survivors include her husband, Robert “Chuck” Morris of La Grande; her daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Jim Rygg of La Grande; her sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Gayle Christensen of Baker City; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Phyllis Chase.
Loveland Funeral Chapel of La Grande is in charge of arrangements.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, February 27, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor