Mary Carolyn (Boles) Mills passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 4, 2018. Born on June 26, 1938 to Aubrey J. and Faye M. Boles in El Centro, CA, music was her life from the moment she was able to plink the keys of her first toy piano and then begged for piano lessons.
She got her B.A. in music performance from San Diego State in l960. Mary began teaching private piano, and soon learned that most students quit during the summer, with the corresponding drop in income. Her father prevailed upon her to make a living that he didn’t have to subsidize, so she went back to school and got her teaching degree.

Mary eventually became a music teacher, both in the private sector and in the public schools. She taught elementary school for a few years. When she came to Sutherlin, Oregon in l971 she started teaching choir to junior and senior high students. She had never taught choir, or junior or senior high school, but figured that she most likely knew more than the students did. That supposition turned out to be true, but she had to go back to her music books to remember the vocal ranges and some basic vocal and conducting techniques. Mary was a wonderful and devoted teacher and taught every level except 1st grade. She finished her teaching career at Glide school district in 1996. In between, she taught piano throughout the Sutherlin and Roseburg area. Mary loved being a piano accompanist and enjoyed donating her time and talent to various school and community musical performances, artistic productions, and to the Catholic church.

Mary was a devoted Catholic her whole life. Even though she was married and divorced and remarried, it was a great celebration when she could officially remarry in the Catholic church to her beloved husband, John, on their 25th wedding anniversary.

Mary had a devoted and personal relationship with the Virgin Mary, whom she loved so much. She had such an immense faith in God and the power of prayer, that her family always said that if you wanted a prayer to be answered, you would give it to her to lift. While the stroke took away her ability to pray independently, it couldn’t take away her faith. She was grateful for caregivers, therapists, and family who would pray with and for her.

Mary had an immense sense of adventure and frequently said that if you didn’t want her to come along, then don’t invite her, because she was likely to say “yes!” She was pretty much game for any new adventure, including joining her first husband, Franc Rushlow/Rocheleau, on the carnival circuit in an old 64-passenger school bus that was converted into a camper of sorts, with two young children and a dog in tow, hawking spin painting, make-your-own-candles, and wood carved signs, for 4 summers.

Mary had a wonderful, quirky sense of humor, delighting in word games of all sorts, plays on words, and punnery. Her smile lit up every room, with beautiful blue, twinkling eyes to match. There was nothing like her giggle and laugh when she was truly delighted by something. She loved playing a good game of Scrabble while eating ginger snaps with a scalding hot cup of coffee, card games, and anything that challenged her wit. Her rose garden was a source of delight and pride. Mary enjoyed travel, including camping at her favorite campground, Susan Creek in Oregon. She was a member of PEO, a philanthropic education organization that raises money for women’s’ education and loved her PEO sisters immensely.

In her last 3 years, after her debilitating stroke, Mary’s devoted husband, John, rarely left her side, visiting her every day, holding her hand, providing fresh flowers, and loving her. Because the stroke and resulting dementia had changed her personality and she was unable to walk or move much on her left side, leaving her completely dependent on others for her care, there were many challenges, but the basic essence of Mary was still there. John continued to attend mass at Queen of Peace for Mary even though he’s not Catholic; he’s Baptist! His loving and caring devotion is beyond measure.

Mary was blessed to have Dr. Solomon and many caregivers who took wonderful and loving care of her, first at Juniper Village and then at Brasswood Assisted Living, both in Aurora, CO. Not only did they take care of her, but they also helped take care of John and the rest of the family, helping them navigate the unfamiliar world of post-stroke recovery and dementia.

Mary is survived by her husband of 42 years, John, her siblings Teresa (Kurt), Ginny (Bud), and Jerry (Pat), along with several nieces and nephews. Her children include Beth Solomon (David) and Anne Stecher (Mark) and step-children Peggie Mayer, Joe Mills, Ellen Mills, Mary Joli (Chris), and Janice Meyer (Chuck). Between her and John (mostly John!), there are 20 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren who will miss Grandmommy.

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