Mary Dean, age 83 was born on September 2, 1941 in Tillamook where she lived and worked her entire life. Mary went to her eternal reward on November 8, 2024.
Mary gave of herself in so many ways throughout her life. In her earlier years she worked at the courthouse in the Home Extension office, then the First National Bank. After her marriage to Richard Dean in February 1960, Mary did in home daycare for many years. Mary was a school bus driver, a teacher’s aide for special needs children and she and Richard were also foster parents for a time.
For several years prior to her retirement, she was a caregiver for the elderly and her love of the Lord led her to missionary work, making annual trips to Isreal for 15 years. She filled many photo albums and journals of her adventures.
Mary enjoyed cooking, baking and spending time with her grandchildren. Her home was often filled with delicious aromas and it was not uncommon that her girls would come home after school to fresh baked bread or her fabulous chocolate chip oatmeal cookies.
Her grandchildren, who were such an important part of her life, loved her homemade chicken noodle soup.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents Frank Sr. and Pearle Hettick, husband Richard Dean, her brother Frank Hettick Jr. and son-in-law Tim Heusser.
Mary is survived by her daughters, Kristi Heusser, Kerri Puckett (Bon), Karla Werner (Ken), Kelli Brown (Josh), 14 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, numerous extended family and friends.
A celebration of life will be planned for Mary in the spring.