Mary Jean (Bristow) Mccabe

Mary Jean McCabe, 95, died January 9, 2023 at Rose Arbor House at Guardian Angel Homes in Hermiston, Oregon. Graveside services were held at High View Cemetery at Ione, Oregon on Saturday, January 14, 2023.

Mrs. McCabe was born on January 3, 1928 in Ione, Oregon to Mary (Grabill) and Edmund Bristow. She was raised in Nampa, Idaho and Baker City, Oregon, graduating from Baker High School in 1945. She spent summers in Ione working along side her beloved aunt, Lucile Rietmann, during harvest. They had a very special relationship. In 1945 her family returned to Ione where she worked at Bristow’s Market, the family store. By age 18 she ran the store alone due to the health of her father after a major heart attack until his recovery.

Her wonderfully happy marriage to Ernest McCabe began on April 18, 1948. In 1959 they moved to Bay City, Oregon. Three years later they moved to Heppner where they eventually became part owners of Central Market. They lived in Heppner until 2020 when they moved to Rose Arbor assisted living in Hermiston.

Mrs. McCabe was the Treasurer of the City of Heppner for 25 years, a long-time member of the Heppner United Methodist Church, and for more than 15 years, as a volunteer, decorated monthly the dining room at St. Patrick’s Senior Center. She had a tremendous sense of humor, loved people, and loved and enjoyed life. Many saw her dressed up over the years with Sharon Lewis on their shared birthday in unimaginable garbs.

She especially enjoyed working at Peterson’s Jeweler’s with Randall and Marlene Peterson before being elected City Treasurer. She enjoyed Scrabble, crossword puzzles, bridge, the Oregon Coast, and most of all her family, friends and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, Ernie, and her parents Edmund Bristow and Mary Bristow, and her brother, Donald Bristow.

She is survived by her son, John McCabe of Heppner, and daughters, Pam (Jim) Doherty of Golden, CO, Lisa (Joe) Gifford of Oro Valley, AZ, and Laurie (Dan) Wilson of Newberg, OR; three brothers, Tommy Bristow of Rockaway Beach, OR, Jerry Bristow of Tillamook, OR, and John Bristow of Ione, OR; and the lights of her life 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heppner United Methodist Church, PO Box 733, Heppner, OR 97836

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