Mary Elizabeth Boyce

Mary Elizabeth Boyce, 40 of Portland, OR, passed away on Friday, May 25, 2012 after a nearly 3-year, courageous battle with cancer. She was a warm soul with a kind heart, known for her infectious laughter, her unconditional love for family, friends and children and for her artistic eye and love of photography. She was born on June 25, 1971 in Portland, Oregon to Gerald and Joan Blue. She graduated from Portland’s Wilson High School in 1989 and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Portland State University in 2001. She married Steven Eric Boyce on March 26, 1994 at St. Ignatius Church in Portland, Oregon. Mary was delighted to be a teacher at Grout Elementary School for the past ten years. She knew by the second grade that she wanted to be a teacher and to give students the hope and encouragement they need to be life-long learners.

She was a very special and proud mother to her two sons, Jackson Brian Boyce [8] and Alton Keller Boyce [5], who meant the world to her. Her loving husband, high-school sweetheart and best friend Steve, of Portland, OR survives her. Mary was from a large family and the middle child out of 11 siblings. She is survived by immediate family members Mother and Father Joan & Jake Bischoff and 10 brothers and sisters. Mary also leaves behind her fellow teacher friend and “soul sister” Sally Stephenson.

A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held on June 25, 2012 from 7pm-11pm at Blackberry Hall at McMenamin’s Edgefield in Troutdale, Oregon. In lieu of flowers and to help defray funeral and celebration costs, donations may be made to Wells Fargo in the name of the Mary E. Boyce Memorial Fund. To honor Mary’s passion for early childhood education, donations may also be made to Adopt-A-School International, PO Box 4085, Portland, OR 97208-4085. Arrangements entrusted to Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes in Portland, Oregon where a private memorial will be held. Please help us in celebrating Mary’s life by visiting www.gatewaylittlechapel.com to sign her guest book and share your thoughts and fond memories with the family. And, if you are ever visiting Lost Lake, Timberline Lodge or Cultus Lake, send warm thoughts Mary’s way as those were her favorite places on earth.