Mary Linda Marshall passed away on Friday, August 16, 2024, at the age of 79 after a long fight against cancer. She was surrounded by her devoted daughter and loving sisters.
Mary was born on November 15, 1944, in Pittsburg, Kansas to Dolores and Ernest Beasley. Ernest was in Germany, serving in the Military during WWII when Mary was born. He did not know he had a daughter until several months later. After Ernest returned home to Pittsburg, the family moved to Gresham, Oregon where Mary was raised. They lived around the 12-mile corner with lots of cousins and friends nearby. Mary attended elementary school in Gresham and graduated from Gresham High School in 1962. Family was especially important to the Beasley family and many family road trips were taken back to Kansas to visit their relatives.
In 1970, Mary met and married her husband, Ernest, on August 28, 1970. They moved to Sandy, Oregon where their children Kim & Kevin were born and raised on the family farm. The farm included raising farm animals, growing a huge garden, and canning all the produce that they grew! Mary loved that life!! She was active in the PTC at Sandy Grade School, Girl Scouts, Alpine Day Camp and in later years she was involved with FFA and 4-H with her grandkids. She loved being a cook and custodian at the schools. She also enjoyed a few years being a part of a clogging group and getting to dance! After she retired, she even volunteered as an usher at the Portland Performing Arts.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Kim Gurney, son Kevin (Juli) Marshall, Grandchildren Jonathan (Jessica)Gurney, Alyssa (Chris) Cannon, Justin, Kyle and Jesse Marshall and four great-grandchildren, Bentlee, Jayce, Gunnar, and Helen. Sisters, Charlotte (Dennis) Wiser, Pam Norton, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and loving husband, of 52 years, Ernest.
There will be a graveside service on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery (400 SW Walters Dr., Gresham, OR 97080). Mary will be interred next to her husband Ernest on their 54th wedding anniversary. Immediately following the graveside service, a luncheon will take place (approximately 3:00 p.m.) at Arise Family Fellowship Baptist Church located at 34495 SE Jarl Rd., Boring, OR 97009.
In celebration of Mary’s life and her love of family and friends, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, a charitable donation be made to the family to put towards a handicap van for Mary’s cousin’s grandson, Cillian. This was something that Mary had wanted to donate to before her passing but was unable to do so due to her decline in health. The family would like to make this donation in memory of Mary.