Mary Ellen Van Way

Mary Van Way, of Portland, Oregon, was the daughter of Arthur and Beatrice (Sobel) Nesbitt of Howard Beach, New York. She attended Our Lady of Grace grade school and Bishop McDonald and John Adams high schools. In her early career, she worked at Scribner’s Book store in Manhattan. After moving to Florida, Mary worked at Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, where she became field operations coordinator. She loved animals and remained a passionate advocate for humane treatment of pets and wildlife throughout her life. She was predeceased by her husband, Dave Van Way, and is survived by her daughter, Natalie Alaniz, son-in-law Anthony Alaniz and by their sons Kaden and Matthew of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; her brother, Tim Nesbitt, and her niece Marguerite Nesbitt, of Portland, Oregon. Donations in her memory may be made to The Pixie Project, animal rescue and adoption center, in Portland, Oregon. A service in celebration of Mary’s life will be held at 10:30 AM. Thursday, Dec. 1 at Rose City Funeral Home, 5625 NE Fremont St., Portland, Oregon.