Mary Pahlke

Pahlke, Mary 64 09/25/1945 03/02/2010 

Mary McBroom was born in Boise, where she grew up with her two younger sisters. She attended Boise State University where, while working in the cafeteria, she met her future husband John Pahlke, who came back for seconds. They moved to Portland, married in 1967 and started their family. After raising their two boys, Mary embarked on a 20-year career with Nordstrom that began in Oregon and ended in Virginia. Mary and John were avid boaters and loved nothing more than cruising the Chesapeake Bay. Upon leaving Nordstrom, Mary and John spent two years traveling the country in a motor home seeing amazing sights and creating lifelong memories. Mary was an avid artisan her entire life, weaving, cross-stitching, knitting and sewing. Those who have some of these pieces will treasure them forever. Mary was small in stature, but a giant in the fight against cancer. Sadly, it was a fight that she lost while surrounded by her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her best friend, and the love of her life, her husband, John. Mary is survived by her sisters, Barbara and Janice; sons, John and Tom; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A celebration of Mary's life will be held Sunday, March 7, 2010, at her sister's home, 5290 S.E. Hillwood Road, Milwaukie. Friends may stop by anytime between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Published in The Oregonian on March 6, 2010