Mary Jane Lytle

Mary Jane Varker was born on September 5, 1924 in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania to Frederick and Mary (Dreisbach) Varker, she was the eldest of two brothers, Frederick and Kenneth. Mary grew up in the northeast part of Pennsylvania and as a child was very studious. She was at the top of her graduating class for high school, and attended Wilkes University, eventually transferring to Jefferson College to receive training in medical technician work and earning a membership with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

It was while attending Jefferson College that she met her future husband, Creighton Lytle, who was attending Jefferson Medical School to be a physician. They were happily wed on July 3, 1946 and began a family. They were blessed with four children, Nelson, Beverly, Douglas and Creighton II. In addition to being a fulltime mother, Mary also worked hard as a medical technician in several different hospitals and later supported Creighton with his practice.

In her spare time Mary enjoyed gardening in all varieties. She would grow flowers and each year would plant a very large vegetable garden at her Pennsylvania home. She was musically inclined and loved to play piano and accompany Creighton who would sing. As a family, Mary, Creighton and the children would go camping at National Parks all over the country with the Grand Canyon being one of her favorite locations. For her children she demonstrated the importance of education, faith, hard work, and the importance of family. It was these qualities that made Mary the wonderful person that she was.

In her later years, she and Creighton decided that they would like to be closer to family. They moved to Oregon and settled in Beaverton, close to their daughter Bev. For the last eight years Mary and Creighton enjoyed life in Oregon and relished being close to those they loved. After a sudden illness, Mary passed away in Portland, Oregon on November 9, 2013.

Mary will be remembered for the love she had for her husband and family, but also the way she lived life by putting heart into everything she did.

Mary is preceded in death by her son, Creighton Lytle II in 1981 and her grandchild, Jared Townsley in 2012. She is missed deeply by her husband of 67 years, Creighton L. Lytle of Beaverton, OR; children, Nelson Lytle of West Bloomfield, Michigan, Beverly Thomas of Tigard, OR, Douglas Lytle of Tucson, AZ; grandchildren, Rachel Stramel, Josh Townsley, Andrew and Nicholas Lytle, Amy and Julie Lytle, Joshua, Jonathan and Rebecca Glyn, great grandchildren, Sophia, Creighton, Grace, Samuel, Rebekah, and Sarah in addition to many extended family members and friends.

A Memorial celebrating Mary’s life will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 2pm in Young’s Funeral Home, followed by a light reception for a time of food and fellowship.

The family suggests contributions be made to the American Heart Association (donate.heart.org) or the World Wildlife Fund (secure.worldwildlife.org/donations/memorial-donation.aspx)

All are invited to visit www.youngsfunearlhome.org to contribute to Mary’s life story by leaving stories and condolences for the family.