Mary Lou Staples was born in Portland, Oregon on November 1, 1945 to Miles and Ethel VanWart-the second of three children-brother Kenny, who was 10 years older, and sister Nancy, who was 10 years younger. She attended Pleasant Valley grade school and graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School.
Mary Lou married Roger Hendricks and together they had her only child, Shari Lynn Hendricks. After their divorce, Mary Lou met Don Staples in 1974, and knew he was “the one” she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. They lived together with Shari and then married and would have celebrated their wedding anniversary in June.
Don, Mary Lou, and Shari spent nearly every weekend either camping or boating, with family and friends. And During the week, Their home was seldom “just the three of them”, as their hospitality drew everyone to “Lou’s house”. She was a great cook, generous with food and drink and laughter and compassion. She knew everything about everyone, and to this day, each birthday and anniversary of all the friends and family are marked on the calendar hanging in their kitchen. Mary Lou was “information central” before Facebook was even heard of! If you wanted to know something about someone, “just ask Lou”!
When 20 year old daughter Shari passed away from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, Mary Lou took an early retirement from her career at Prudential. This was a life-changing event for her, and she struggled to cope with this loss for the rest of her life.
She filled her days with taking care of the family home on Steele Street during the week, and then enjoying some form of recreation with Don and the group of family and friends who were always there to support and entertain-either on the Columbia River in their boat, or in their RV at the coast or exploring other parts of Oregon or nearby states.she was also very passionate about political matters and loved the NFL football-especially the Seahawks and Packers.
In February of 2017, Mary Lou suffered a nearly life ending stroke, but miraculously she maintained her memory, personality, wisdom, and sense of humor, even though the rest of her body was not able to function much. Don tirelessly tended to her every day needs around the clock for over two years, so they could spend each day together at home.
MaryLou passed away peacefully at home the evening of May 28th, with Don and sister by her side.
She touched the lives of so many family members and friends during her stay here, and was well loved by all.
Funeral services are at Mt. Scott funeral home on Tuesday, June 4th at 10:30am, followed by a gathering at Willamette National Cemetery at 12:30.
Mary Lou married Roger Hendricks and together they had her only child, Shari Lynn Hendricks. After their divorce, Mary Lou met Don Staples in 1974, and knew he was “the one” she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. They lived together with Shari and then married and would have celebrated their wedding anniversary in June.
Don, Mary Lou, and Shari spent nearly every weekend either camping or boating, with family and friends. And During the week, Their home was seldom “just the three of them”, as their hospitality drew everyone to “Lou’s house”. She was a great cook, generous with food and drink and laughter and compassion. She knew everything about everyone, and to this day, each birthday and anniversary of all the friends and family are marked on the calendar hanging in their kitchen. Mary Lou was “information central” before Facebook was even heard of! If you wanted to know something about someone, “just ask Lou”!
When 20 year old daughter Shari passed away from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, Mary Lou took an early retirement from her career at Prudential. This was a life-changing event for her, and she struggled to cope with this loss for the rest of her life.
She filled her days with taking care of the family home on Steele Street during the week, and then enjoying some form of recreation with Don and the group of family and friends who were always there to support and entertain-either on the Columbia River in their boat, or in their RV at the coast or exploring other parts of Oregon or nearby states.she was also very passionate about political matters and loved the NFL football-especially the Seahawks and Packers.
In February of 2017, Mary Lou suffered a nearly life ending stroke, but miraculously she maintained her memory, personality, wisdom, and sense of humor, even though the rest of her body was not able to function much. Don tirelessly tended to her every day needs around the clock for over two years, so they could spend each day together at home.
MaryLou passed away peacefully at home the evening of May 28th, with Don and sister by her side.
She touched the lives of so many family members and friends during her stay here, and was well loved by all.
Funeral services are at Mt. Scott funeral home on Tuesday, June 4th at 10:30am, followed by a gathering at Willamette National Cemetery at 12:30.
Mary Lou Staples was born in Portland, Oregon on November 1, 1945 to Miles and Ethel VanWart-the second of three children-brother Kenny, who was 10 years older, and sister Nancy, who was 10 years younger. She attended Pleasant Valley grade school and graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School.
Mary Lou married Roger Hendricks and together they had her only child, Shari Lynn Hendricks. After their divorce, Mary Lou met Don Staples in 1974, and knew he was “the one” she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. They lived together with Shari and then married and would have celebrated their wedding anniversary in June.
Don, Mary Lou, and Shari spent nearly every weekend either camping or boating, with family and friends. And During the week, Their home was seldom “just the three of them”, as their hospitality drew everyone to “Lou’s house”. She was a great cook, generous with food and drink and laughter and compassion. She knew everything about everyone, and to this day, each birthday and anniversary of all the friends and family are marked on the calendar hanging in their kitchen. Mary Lou was “information central” before Facebook was even heard of! If you wanted to know something about someone, “just ask Lou”!
When 20 year old daughter Shari passed away from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, Mary Lou took an early retirement from her career at Prudential. This was a life-changing event for her, and she struggled to cope with this loss for the rest of her life.
She filled her days with taking care of the family home on Steele Street during the week, and then enjoying some form of recreation with Don and the group of family and friends who were always there to support and entertain-either on the Columbia River in their boat, or in their RV at the coast or exploring other parts of Oregon or nearby states.she was also very passionate about political matters and loved the NFL football-especially the Seahawks and Packers.
In February of 2017, Mary Lou suffered a nearly life ending stroke, but miraculously she maintained her memory, personality, wisdom, and sense of humor, even though the rest of her body was not able to function much. Don tirelessly tended to her every day needs around the clock for over two years, so they could spend each day together at home.
MaryLou passed away peacefully at home the evening of May 28th, with Don and sister by her side.
She touched the lives of so many family members and friends during her stay here, and was well loved by all.
Funeral services are at Mt. Scott funeral home on Tuesday, June 4th at 10:30am, followed by a gathering at Willamette National Cemetery at 12:30.
Mary Lou married Roger Hendricks and together they had her only child, Shari Lynn Hendricks. After their divorce, Mary Lou met Don Staples in 1974, and knew he was “the one” she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. They lived together with Shari and then married and would have celebrated their wedding anniversary in June.
Don, Mary Lou, and Shari spent nearly every weekend either camping or boating, with family and friends. And During the week, Their home was seldom “just the three of them”, as their hospitality drew everyone to “Lou’s house”. She was a great cook, generous with food and drink and laughter and compassion. She knew everything about everyone, and to this day, each birthday and anniversary of all the friends and family are marked on the calendar hanging in their kitchen. Mary Lou was “information central” before Facebook was even heard of! If you wanted to know something about someone, “just ask Lou”!
When 20 year old daughter Shari passed away from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, Mary Lou took an early retirement from her career at Prudential. This was a life-changing event for her, and she struggled to cope with this loss for the rest of her life.
She filled her days with taking care of the family home on Steele Street during the week, and then enjoying some form of recreation with Don and the group of family and friends who were always there to support and entertain-either on the Columbia River in their boat, or in their RV at the coast or exploring other parts of Oregon or nearby states.she was also very passionate about political matters and loved the NFL football-especially the Seahawks and Packers.
In February of 2017, Mary Lou suffered a nearly life ending stroke, but miraculously she maintained her memory, personality, wisdom, and sense of humor, even though the rest of her body was not able to function much. Don tirelessly tended to her every day needs around the clock for over two years, so they could spend each day together at home.
MaryLou passed away peacefully at home the evening of May 28th, with Don and sister by her side.
She touched the lives of so many family members and friends during her stay here, and was well loved by all.
Funeral services are at Mt. Scott funeral home on Tuesday, June 4th at 10:30am, followed by a gathering at Willamette National Cemetery at 12:30.
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