Mary Lewis, a Portland native and frequent visitor to Hawaii, died peacefully in her sleep on July 10, 2018 in Renton Washington; she was 93. Mary was born in Portland, Oregon to John and Hulda Brickley. She was fluent in sign language.
Mary graduated from Tigard Union High School in 1942 with top national honors for secretarial skills in both typing and shorthand. She excelled in her 42 year career as an executive secretary in the Labor Relations department of Union Pacific Railroad in Portland, Oregon. The industry's National Association of Railway Business Women (NARBW) welcomed her leadership in roles at the local and national level, including as National President. Mary treasured her involvement with NARBW especially leadership opportunities, dear friendships, and travel.
Mary loved to travel, especially with her family. Her travels spanned North America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa. In 1951 Mary summited Mt. Hood, in Oregon, with the Mazamas mountaineering club; of which she was a member for 67 years. She served as President of her local Toastmasters Chapter, as Worthy Matron in Eastern Star, and, with her husband Lynn, was active in Portland's Royal Rosarians. She was a devout Christian.
In 1952, she married Imants Straumietis in Portland and together had one daughter. She married Lynn Lewis in 1959 and had two children. Mary and Lynn raised their family of five in Tigard, Oregon, on the same land on which Mary was raised. Mary and Lynn were married 35 years. Mary is survived by her children: Lee Harlow (Ken Fujiyama) of Hilo, HI; David Lewis of Appleton, WI; and Krista Rosemary (Jim) of Kent, WA), seven grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
A celebration of life service was held in Kent, Washington.
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