Mary Annette Shook, 79, a former Halfway resident, died Dec. 28, 2004, at Pomeroy, Wash., after a year of declining health.
Her memorial service will be scheduled this spring to allow distant relatives to attend.
Mary was born May 28, 1925, at Chinook, Wash. She grew up in Astoria, graduated from Oregon State University in Corvallis, and then taught home economics at Halfway High School. She married Robert Shook of Halfway on March 6, 1949, in Astoria.
In 1951 they moved to Seattle and there raised three sons. Robert and Mary retired to Halfway in the summer of 1980 to their new house on Dawson Street. Robert died in February of 1984. Mary was diagnosed with a brain tumor in November 2000, and complications from surgery to remove the tumor prevented her from returning to her home.
She spent her last years at Memory Manor Nursing Home in Pomeroy.
Mary enjoyed cooking, sewing, traveling and collecting dolls. She especially enjoyed making doll clothes, which she would give to children or donate to charity fund-raisers. She was an avid volunteer, a leader with Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, and she taught sewing classes and helped with programs for seniors citizens in Halfway and Baker City.
Survivors include her brother, Capt. Warren G. Leback; her sons, Vernon William, Michael Robert, and Allen Todd; daughter-in-law, Majlis Marie Shook; granddaughter, Caitlin Jessica Shook; step-grandchildren, Gregory Ward Becken and Amanda Elizabeth Nelson; nine nieces, four nephews and her devoted traveling companion, Bill Allen.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Capt. Vernon Leander Leback and June Josephine Leback; and by her brother, Capt. Calvin C. Leback.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Connection Senior Center Bus (transportation from Halfway to Baker City) or to the Halfway-Oxbow Ambulance Service through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, January 7, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor