7-31-1919 to 3-10-13

Born in Harrison, Arkansas on July 31, 1919, Mary Lou Long Henson died after a two month battle with shingles and the complications which followed. She moved to Bend in 2012, to be nearer family after living most of her adult life in Medford, Oregon. She loved her family, her flower gardens, playing bridge and reading extensively. She was active in the Presbyterian Church as a deacon and in choral music.

In her early family life, she loved her children and enjoyed cooking, canning and sewing. As an empty nester, she worked in a fine drapery shop for several years. Most of all, she and her loving and devoted husband John experienced a 60 year marriage and many joyful and peaceful days at their cabin on the Rogue River. The fact that their retreat had no electricity or running water did not diminish the joy or fun there. They also had numerous trailer traveling adventures with her sister Bess and husband Jack.

She grew up as the youngest of 9 children, trekking back and forth between Colorado and Oregon with her family. Her parents were Benjamin and Clercy Jane [Jenny] Hightower Long. Mary Lou was the last survivor of her large family. She met and married John W. Henson in 1937. They were a team until his death in 1997.

Mary Lou is survived by her daughter Jonna Maxwell and grandson Matthew Maxwell of Muskogee and Locust Grove, Oklahoma; son James Henson [Annis], grandson Aaron [Sara] all of Bend, granddaughter Beth Hammerstrand [James] of San Diego and her great grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Sara Henson Carlson Oliver of Albany, Oregon and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a gathering of family and friends on the Rogue River this summer. Memorial contributions can be made to The Salvation Army and to Partners in Care Hospice House, Bend, Oregon.