Obituary of Mary Elizabeth York

MARY ELIZABETH YORK Nov. 12, 1921 - Jan. 1, 2012 Mary Elizabeth York, Professor Emeritus, Portland State University PSU, peacefully passed away at Vancouver, WA, the morning of January 1. Beloved wife of the late John Devereux York III, she was ever the loving spouse, devoted parent, scholar, delight friend, and teacher. Always a lady of keen wit, shining even when challenged by life's adversities, of which she knew many, she graciously summoned her grit and soared. Her life's journey began in Schenectady, NY, born the youngest of three children to George William and Ruth Nellis Potter. At age 14 she moved with her family to Phoenix, Arizona. In 1939 she graduated with honors from Phoenix Union High School. She met John York while working for the Works Projects Administration. They married in 1941. Two girls and a boy were born to them in quick succession. In 1955 Mary graduated with a BA in education from Arizona State College now ASU, Tempe. She earned her MA from ASC now NAU, Flagstaff in 1961, and her PhD from the U. of Illinois in 1972. In the Phoenix are she taught elementary school, and from 1959-1964 served as Director of Christian Ed. At trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Circa 1968 she administered ten child day care centers, located throughout Arizona, for the Federal Government's Migrant Opportunity Program. Mary and John moved to Portland, OR in 1972 as she had accepted the position of Coordinator for PSU's fledgling program in Early Childhood Ed. She retired from PSU in 1983. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, Education Honor Society, and a founder of the National Assoc. of Early Childhood Teacher Educators NAECTE. She loved music and singing and was a member of many church and civic choirs for much of her life. Mary was preceded in death by John in 1999. She is survived by her children: daughter Carla File and her husband Gary of Bakersfield, CA, Tusnelda Hodgin and husband Wayne of Camas, WA, Robert and his wife Gigi of Medford, OR, and six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Donations in her memory are encouraged to the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association CMTA, P.O. Box 105, Glenolden, PA 19036, www.cmtausa.org. Mary was born with CMT, a neuro-muscular disorder, whose debilitating effects robbed her of mobility but not her heart and drive. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 1:00 PM at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, 2350 Main St., Washougal, WA. Straub's Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation in Camas was in charge of the arrangements. To send condolences or to sign the online guest book please visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.