Mary Palmer Roth

Mary Boomer Palmer Roth, 92, passed away Friday. She was born in Durand, Ill., to Ned and Gertrude Palmer and her childhood was spent on the family farm along with her much loved sister, Julia Estelle. Mary attended and graduated high school from a one room school house where she and her sister, Julia, were driven to school each day in a horse drawn buggy by their mother. Upon graduating, Mary attended college for two years, worked as a legal secretary, vacationed in Mexico City, Mexico, and volunteered with the Red Cross in Germany during World War II. Mary was a fiercely independent woman long before the "Women's Liberation Movement" and navigated the burning of her daughter's bra in the 1970s with quiet amusement. Mary then moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., where she met her future husband, James Roth, who was stationed at Peterson Air Force Base. Their first date was on a golf course. Thus, began a life of moving boxes, golf and culinary delights. Although the game of golf did not come as easily for Mary as it did her husband (she shanked a few), she enjoyed the decades long friendships and social gatherings and was very supportive and proud of her husband's scratch game. Living in far away places such as Italy and the Philippine Islands, and states such as Alaska and Florida, Mary delighted in learning how to prepare meals native to each culture. She was an excellent cook and the Italians were impressed with her lasagna (no small feat), as well as the Asians with her fried rice. Mary was a voracious reader, and Christmas and birthday gifts from her usually included a book. As a volunteer with SMART for many years, Mary read to children and shared with them not only the importance of literacy, but the joy of reading a good novel. Curious George and Babar were her favorites. An episode of Jeopardy was rarely missed and even up until the time of her death she outplayed the youngsters. Ditto for Scrabble. Mary was a walking encyclopedia! Mary was a member of the Corvallis Button Club, and over the years her collection of sewing buttons grew as did her friendships with fellow collectors. Mary also taught herself the art of quilting and her handiwork was always impeccable. She loved to garden and appreciated the simple scent of a rose and was annoyed with the ever present dandelion. Mary was a long time member of the Oregon State Booster Club and she and Jim were season ticket holders. Mary rarely missed an OSU football game. She was a very loyal fan and it irked her to no end when the bleachers were empty during a losing season and full when the Beavers were winning. She was known to mutter, albeit loudly enough for those nearby to hear, "foul weather fans..." Mary was also a member of Springhill Country Club and the Presbyterian Church. Mary will be dearly missed. She was a loving wife, nurturing mother, devoted G-Ma (grandma) and trustworthy friend. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Roth; and sister Julia E. Palmer. She is survived by her three children, James Roth and wife Ramona, Stan Roth and wife Cheryl, and Victoria Darling and husband Robert; grandson Benjamin Roth and wife Carissa, and their son Aspen; grandson Nicholas Roth and wife Jessica; granddaughters Vanessa, Andrea and Jennifer Hughes, and their father, Gary Hughes. Of course, all the grand kids received books on their first birthdays. At Mary's request, there will be no funeral services. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at Oaklawn Cemetery, 2245 S.W. Whiteside Drive, Corvallis.

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Mary Palmer Roth

March 28, 1919 - December 2, 2011