In Memory

Mary K Joyce (Maag)

Mary K Joyce (Maag)

Surrounded by her family, Mary K. Maag  passed away peacefully on May 6, 2015 at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Ontario, Oregon. The oldest of three siblings, she was born on November 14, 1925 to Irish immigrants, Thos. and Katherine Joyce. She was 89 years of age.  

 

Her  childhood was spent in Juntura, Oregon where she attended and excelled in both grade school and high school.  As a child she loved spending summers in the pine-scented Malheur National Forest on the Middle and North Forks of the Malheur River. It was here that her father, uncles and other Irishmen  would homestead their way to a new life  in America. Out of this Irish tradition  of sheepherding, coupled with a tremendous work ethic and desire to succeed, her family chiseled out their livelihood. The richness of this struggle implanted within her an enduring gratitude  for surviving these hardships, indelibly shaping the wife, mother, and community leader that she would grow to be.  

 

From these humble beginnings, she would venture forth to attend  Marylhurst College in Portland and earn her teaching credential in 1946.  She was greatly impacted by the teachings and  traditions of the Sisters of the Holy Names who expanded her horizons and world view. 

Returning to Vale, she accepted a position at Vale Elementary School as a fifth grade teacher.   A short time later she would meet her future husband, Warner Maag,  on a blind date at the Hope Dance Hall in the Vale area. After a brief courtship they married on July 1, 1948 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Juntura, Oregon. 

 

Over their 66 fruitful years of marriage in the Jamieson valley, she and Warner raised their family of six children, where she modeled for them the importance of virtuous living and doing what was right in a graceful and humble way. She was an extraordinary homemaker, cook, and baker.  With her boundless energy and Irish affection, she thrived on hosting various parties  including clergy and religious,  community groups, family, and relatives from abroad. Additionally she served as a room mother throughout her children's elementary school years. Square dancing, pinochle parties, and being a part of Jamieson Neighborly Club counted amount her favorites activities. 

 

Her deep Catholic faith and commitment to her parish community immersed her in parish life.  She was a leader and active member of St. Patrick's Altar Society, the church organist, and a  catechism teacher.  She played a lead role in the hospitality ministry organizing numerous funeral dinners and the annual church bazaar. 

 

Mary K. is survived by her sister, Helen Stanton,  Ontario, Oregon; her children:  Fr. Ron Maag of Hood River, Oregon; Regina Maag (Steve Pontarolo) of Quincy, Washington;  Doug Maag (Terrie) of Jamieson, Oregon; Maureen Maag of Portland, Oregon; son-in-law Roger Stone of Kirkland, Washington; and Brian Maag (Katie) of Lake Oswego, Oregon; ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Warner Maag; daughter, Kathleen Stone; her parents, Thos. and Katherine Joyce; and brother, Thos, P. Joyce.  

Recitation of the rosary will be held Monday, May 18, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. and Catholic funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2015.  Both will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Vale, Oregon under the direction oLienkaemper-Thomason. 

 

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to: the Warner and Mary K. Maag Scholarship Fund, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, or Pioneer Place in care of 5112 Maag Road, Vale, OR 97918.