Mary Jean Farris, 86

Mary Jean Farris "went to be with the Lord" on Nov. 20, 2008, surrounded by her beloved family at Lake View Care Center in Bigfork. She was born in Corvallis, Ore., on June 27, 1922, to Oregon pioneer descendants Vaughn and Mabel Youngblood. She grew up in Seattle and attended the University of Washington.

She was a serious musician, having studied voice for many years. During World War II she donated many hours to entertaining wounded service men in hospitals. Her beautiful soprano voice was a gift she shared at church and with many others.

She had a loving heart and generous spirit; her cup was always half full.

She married Walter Farris on Oct. 14, 1946, and they lived in Spokane for many years.

In 1973, they bought the Swan Village Market in Swan Lake. After her beloved husband's death in 1991, she relocated to Bigfork where she belonged to the Bigfork Pottery club, the bridge club, and the gardening group. Her love of gardening made every place she lived more beautiful than she found it.

She was an inveterate reader and spent many happy hours with books. Her passion for gardening, reading and music lives on in her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her brother, Tom Youngblood; and her granddaughter, Abigail Bergmann.

She is survived by her sister, Bette Angell, of Bainbridge Island, Wash.; her children, Robin Dewhirst and Tim, Forest Farris and Tammy, Helen Bergmann and Richard, and Bette Miller and Gale; 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

"We will miss you, Grandma!"