1922
Mary
2010
Mary Jane Sills
February 22, 1922 — January 16, 2010
Mary Jane Christgau Sills died peacefully in her sleep after a very brief illness on January 16, 2010 in Portland at the age of 87.
Mary Jane was born on February 22, 1922 in Portland and was the only child of Erma and Emil Christgau.
Mary Jane graduated from Jefferson High School and attended Reed College.
Mary Jane was a true "maverick" of her time. In 1954, she moved to Washington DC to work as an aide to the Democratic Senator from Oregon, the Honorable Richard Neuberger. She continued serving her state as an aide to Oregon's first and only woman Senator, the Honorable Maurine Neuberger to whom Mary Jane served until her term ended in 1967. Until the very end of her life, Mary Jane was proud to be a liberal Democrat. She scoured the papers daily for information on the current political scene and kept close track of what the various senators were voting on in Washington! She was also an ardent supporter of many environmental causes and women's rights organizations. To the end, she was a consistent contributor to her beloved Democratic Party.
She met her soulmate, Harold Sills, on a cruise ship and the two were married on July 3, 1969 and resided in Oakland, California. They spent their lives travelling the world and visiting their four grandchildren, to whom Mary Jane was completely dedicated. She was a warm and loving grandmother to each and every one of her grandchildren. Harold predeceased her 1993.
Mary Jane is survived by her step children, Abi Sills Lang of Colorado and Greg Sills of Malibu, California and her beloved grandchildren; Eric Poast of Miami, Florida, GT, Hallie-Marie and Danny Sills all of Malibu California. Mary Jane leaves behind her cousins AnnaRose Eatinger Warner of Gresham, Dessadean Eatinger Barton of Bend, and Shirley Kreyer Greenslet of Ponte Verde Beach, Florida.
The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Richard and Maurine Neuberger Scholarship Fund, c/o PSU Foundation, PO Box 243, Portland, OR 97207.
Mary Jane was born on February 22, 1922 in Portland and was the only child of Erma and Emil Christgau.
Mary Jane graduated from Jefferson High School and attended Reed College.
Mary Jane was a true "maverick" of her time. In 1954, she moved to Washington DC to work as an aide to the Democratic Senator from Oregon, the Honorable Richard Neuberger. She continued serving her state as an aide to Oregon's first and only woman Senator, the Honorable Maurine Neuberger to whom Mary Jane served until her term ended in 1967. Until the very end of her life, Mary Jane was proud to be a liberal Democrat. She scoured the papers daily for information on the current political scene and kept close track of what the various senators were voting on in Washington! She was also an ardent supporter of many environmental causes and women's rights organizations. To the end, she was a consistent contributor to her beloved Democratic Party.
She met her soulmate, Harold Sills, on a cruise ship and the two were married on July 3, 1969 and resided in Oakland, California. They spent their lives travelling the world and visiting their four grandchildren, to whom Mary Jane was completely dedicated. She was a warm and loving grandmother to each and every one of her grandchildren. Harold predeceased her 1993.
Mary Jane is survived by her step children, Abi Sills Lang of Colorado and Greg Sills of Malibu, California and her beloved grandchildren; Eric Poast of Miami, Florida, GT, Hallie-Marie and Danny Sills all of Malibu California. Mary Jane leaves behind her cousins AnnaRose Eatinger Warner of Gresham, Dessadean Eatinger Barton of Bend, and Shirley Kreyer Greenslet of Ponte Verde Beach, Florida.
The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Richard and Maurine Neuberger Scholarship Fund, c/o PSU Foundation, PO Box 243, Portland, OR 97207.
Visitation
Rose City Funeral Home
5625 Northeast Fremont Street
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Thursday, January 21, 2010, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Service
Rose City Funeral Home
5625 Northeast Fremont Street
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Saturday, January 23, 2010, 1:00 PM
Cemetery
Private
Family Gathering
Rose City Funeral Home
5625 Northeast Fremont Street
Portland
,
OR
US
97213
Saturday, January 23, 2010, 2:00 PM
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