Mary Elizabeth Gilles

On Saturday, February 25, 2016, Mary Elizabeth Gilles went to be with the Lord surrounded by friends and family. Mary was born Mary Elizabeth Alward in Gaston, Indiana on November 14, 1919 to Irene Rogge and Clarence Alward. At the age of 5, Mary and her younger sister, Juanita, moved with their parents to the Eastern Oregon city of Kimberly. This is where she developed her love of animals, especially of horses. The family later moved back to the mid-west, eventually returning to Oregon and settling in Portland. Mary graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Portland Oregon in 1939. She then attended Business College and secured her first job at Bonneville Power.

Mary met Donald Gilles while working for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. They married on June 7, 1947. Their daughter Susan joined them on Mary’s 29th birthday in 1948. This was always a special bond for Mother and Daughter. Later, Mary returned to work at various agencies with her last position being Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Willamette University Law School.

Mary was devoted to family, her church, and cared deeply for her many friends. She was always ready to assist them in any way she could. Mary was an avid gardener and a talented seamstress with special interests in knitting and needlepoint. She always displayed a passion for animal welfare. She was active in the local Secretaries’ Association and in retirement volunteered many years for the Red Cross.

She was predeceased by her parents, Irene and Clarence Alward, her husband, Donald, her sister, Juanita Mills, and her nephew Michael Mills. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Arbaugh; her grandchildren, Matthew Arbaugh ( wife – Kristine) of Beaverton, Oregon, Melissa Arbaugh ( husband – Joshua Clark) of Gilroy, California; great grandchildren, Kaylee and Nicole Arbaugh; and other family members and many friends. Her kind and gentle spirit will be greatly missed.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 3, 2017 at 1:30p.m. at St. Edward Catholic Church in Keizer, Oregon with reception following in the Church hall. Interment will follow at City View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Edward Catholic Church or the Willamette Humane Society. Assisting the family is Howell, Edwards, Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors

Arrangements under the direction of Howell-Edwards-Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors, Salem, Oregon.