March 6, 1939 – Feb. 2, 2009

Mary Groves, a resident of Bend since 1984, passed away on Monday, February 2, 2009. She was 69 years of age.

A funeral service with the Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Sisters, at 10:00 AM.

A graveside service will follow in the All Saints Memorial Garden adjacent to the church. Bishop Thomas Connolly of the Diocese of Baker will officiate.

A community Taize prayer vigil service was held on Wednesday evening, February 4 at 5:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church in Bend. A memorial service in Pendleton will he held at a later date.

Mary was born to Marie and Ellis Hummell on March 6, 1939 in Pendleton, OR. She graduated from Pendleton High School in 1957 and was trained as a commercial artist.

For 25 years she worked as a religious educator and had a passion for bringing together the worlds of spirituality, art and healing. Mary was especially proud of her ten years as volunteer and employee of Hospice of Bend-LaPine as bereavement director and educator.

In 1990 she married Richard Groves of Bend. Together they created many national video education programs based on spirituality and healing. The Groves founded the Sacred Art of Living Center, a nonprofit education and retreat center in Bend, Oregon. Their programs, called the Sacred Art of Living and Dying, have helped to train thousands of professionals and laypersons throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

Marys exceptional journey with cancer for nearly nine years is an inspiration to the many people who have been touched by her life and special talents. She continued to be involved in her work until the week before her death.

Mary is survived by her husband, Richard and three children: Matt, Joe and Nick Richter, who all live in Central and Pendleton, Oregon. She has four grandchildren: Jim, Jenna, Amy and Zachary Richter. Marys brother, Robert Hummell, lives in Hermiston, OR. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Molly and her parents.

Mary had a special love for music and the arts. Those who knew her recognized her ability to create beauty, ritual and sacred environment around the most ordinary aspects of life. She was an avid traveler with a special love for the desert southwest and Hawaii. Her children and grandchildren were especially at the center of her heart and life.

Contributions can be made to Sacred Art of Living Center, P.O. Box 8720, Bend, OR, 97708.

Arrangemens are in the care of Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home – 382-2471.

Mary L. Hummell Groves