Mar. 31, 1931 – Mar. 3, 2012

Mary Lee Hillier went to be with our Lord the morning of March 3, 2012, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family and friends though out her last hours.

Mom was born in Montesano, Washington, on March 31, 1931, to Charles and Charlotte McDonald.

Her birth parents died during the great depression and mom found a loving home with her adoptive parents, Wyman and Leah Holcomb. She attended schools in Aberdeen and Bremerton Washington, graduating from Bremerton High School in 1949. Mom was an excellent student, had leading roles in high school and college plays, and won many awards as a member of the speech and debate teams.

She attended college at Grays Harbor College and College of Puget Sound before ending her educational career to get married and raise a family. After many years of being a stay at home mom, she embarked upon a distinguished career as a mortgage banker. Her happiest days were spent in Anchorage, Alaska, where she met many of her lifelong friends, gained an appreciation of the great outdoors (is that mom out camping!), and made a name for herself within the banking circles, all before retiring in 1994.

She moved to Bend, Oregon, in 1997, where she lived until her passing.

Mom is survived by her five sons, Mike (wife, Sue) of Portland, Oregon, Steve (wife, Elena) of Hackensack, New Jersey, Tom (wife, Cyndy) of Tualatin, Oregon, Kevin (wife, Janna) of Bend, Oregon; and Greg (wife, Tammy), of Bend, Oregon. She is also survived by her sister, Florine Nagle (husband, Jack) of Sun City, Arizona; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; sisters, Shirley Gardner and Bette Ward; and brother, TCarty.

Our mom–our hero. We will miss the look on your face or the sound in your voice that proudly proclaimed ”No matter what, boys, I am always in your corner”. Well mom, no matter what, you will always be in our hearts. Rest in peace.

In lieu of flowers, please honor mom by contributing to either The American Red Cross or the American Cancer Society.

Niswonger-Reynolds is in charge of the arrangements.