Mary Sue Penhollow

Published 11:07 am Monday, May 20, 2024

Mary Sue Penhollow

November 5, 1944 – May 13, 2024

Mary Sue (Susie) Penhollow passed away, with family at her side, on

May 13, 2024. She was born on November 5, 1944, to Charles and

Millie Chopp. She is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, Mike

Penhollow, daughter, Chareen Penhollow Kayser (Douglas Kayser),

and her son, Chad Penhollow (Britni). She has several grandchildren

who were a priority in her life, Colt, Hattie, Tuff, and Shaylee. She was

always there to cheer them on at their various school and sports

activities. She is also survived by a multitude of nieces, nephews,

cousins, and incredible friends!

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Millie Chopp,

both of her sisters and their husbands, Mildred (Ed) Kentner and

Charlene (David) Blahnik, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and

other family members.

Susie’s ancestors had immigrated from Yugoslavia in 1919 and

homesteaded in Bend.

Susie was born in Bend, OR and went to high school at Bend High

School. She graduated in 1962 and spent time at Oregon State

College (University). She started her career at Bend Parks and

Recreation, moving to the Bulletin, and finally spent most of her

career at the Deschutes County Clerk’s office. She worked at the

County Clerk’s office, starting in 1970, and was elected as the

Deschutes County Clerk in 1982 and served in that capacity for 20

years before retiring in 2002.

She was very active in volunteer work after she retired. She was

chosen to observe elections in several countries including, Bosnia,

Croatia, Albania, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Macedonia. She

volunteered her time at the Deschutes Historical Society, the ‘Millie’s

Chili’ fundraiser, the League of Women Voters, the Soroptimists, the

Assistance League of Bend, the Quota Club and numerous other

organizations.

She was the Grand Marshall of the 2017 Bend Christmas Parade. She

was honored by Bend High School in 2019 as a Distinguished

Alumnus and was selected as the 2024 Deschutes Pioneer Queen in

February of this year. It was an incredible honor, as her mother Millie

Chopp, had also previously served as the Deschutes Pioneer Queen.

She loved to travel to many places in this country as well as to other

countries. Some of the places they went were to Australia, New

Zealand, Spain, Portugal, Africa, Germany, and Croatia. They also

went on several cruises in the Caribbean and through the Panama

Canal.

Susie was an incredible, energetic, and accomplished woman! She

always had a smile for everyone she met and would try to do anything

for anyone that needed help. She loved her family and friends and

was the ultimate hostess at holidays or any event that she and Mike

hosted! She will be missed by many and so many were blessed to

have had her presence in their lives!

Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be sent to the Partner’s in Care

Hospice House, 2075 NE Wyatt Ct., Bend, OR, 97701 or the Deschutes

County Historical Museum, 129 NW Idaho Ave, Bend, OR, 97703.

Her funeral will take place on May 31, 2024, 10 a.m. at the Holy

Communion Church in Bend, OR followed by a graveside service at

Pilot Butte Cemetery. There will be a Celebration of Life on August 24,

2024, at 3 p.m. at Deschutes County Fairgrounds in the South Sister

building.