Mary Frances was born Dec. 24,1949 in Portland, Ore., to Frank and Frances Bastasch, who operated the family business, Luxury Bakery, in South East Portland.
Mary attended all Catholic schools, graduating high school from Saint Mary's Academy. She attended Seattle University, but soon came back to Portland to care for her mother. She eventually graduated with a degree in studio art from Portland State University.
Growing up, Mary was very close to her mother and father, who were extraordinarily warm and wonderful people. Like her mother Frances, Mary was kind, sensitive and possessed an exquisitely clever and silly sense of humor. Like her father Frank, she constantly dreamt about real estate opportunities, possessed a driven entrepreneurial spirit, and loved exploring the natural world. Unlike anyone in her family, however, she was an artist, with a multitude of creative talents. She shared these talents with those she loved, guiding her children and grandchildren to make beautiful paintings and sculptures. She taught art in the Catholic school system and received recognition for her incredible way with children, eventually starting her own art-based preschool, Mary Cassatt School of Art. Mary raised three children and is viewed as a second mother by many of her seven grandchildren. She connected with her children and grandchildren in the deepest of ways, showing them the importance of laughter and fun, while also using her deep-rooted practicality and keen analytical mind to help them surmount life's inevitable stumbling blocks.
Mary Frances is survived in death by her three children, Matthew Calderon, Joe Calderon and Annie Dunn; her grandchildren, Joey, Julian, Felix, Ignacio, Maya, Michael and Cecilia; her sister, Caryl Bastasch; and two brothers, Paul and Tom Bastach.
In lieu of flowers please donate to GIST Cancer Research Fund (GCRF) https://gistinfo.org/gist-donate
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