Mary LaRene Hilbers

Mary Hilbers was born on August 5, 1927 in Portland, OR. She was a true Oregonian. She attended All Saints School, Grant High School, and the University of Oregon where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. She was also a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.

While at the University of Oregon, she met Bob Hilbers. They were married a week after graduating in 1949. They raised their five children in the Portland area. Mary’s sister, Gloria and her family stayed in the Portland area and shared many special occasions with them. Mary was a great cook and always loved entertaining. She always made sure there were plenty of snacks for everyone, including the dogs. Bob and Mary loved to travel, especially enjoying Europe, China, Mexico and many trips to Reno and Hawaii.

As an active member of the Multnomah Athletic Club, Mary played water volleyball with the Merry Macs well into her Eighties. She also served as a Chairwoman for the Merry Macs. She was a Regent of the Multnomah chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution. For most of her working career, she was a Jewelry Manager for Kmart. However for her, the most important job was raising her five children.

Mary co-wrote the lyrics for many songs that she and her husband Bob, a gifted piano player, wrote. These are on Spotify and Apple Music listed under, “Songs from the Piano Bench”. In their retirement, Mary and Bob also worked as extras on various tv shows, commercials and movies such as “Maverick”. They landed some great and memorable roles.

Preceded in death by her husband Robert and survived by her children, Greg, Renie Kelly (Jeff Hunt), Mike (Lynn), Sandy Krahn, Nick and her grandchildren, Laurel Hilbers Daniels (Brandon), Jared Hilbers and Andrew Krahn.

A memorial service for Mary will be Monday, April 21, 11:00 a.m., at Finley Sunset Hills Mortuary, 6801 SW Sunset Hwy, Portland, Or. 97225.