Long-time resident of Hood River, Oregon Mary Louise Chaffee passed on to Glory with family by her side on August 13, 2016.

Celebration of her life will be Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Anderson’s Tribute Center located at 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon.

The viewing will be held on Friday, August 19, 2016 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Anderson’s Tribute Center.
Mary was born on January 31, 1947, in Grayson, Okla to Lester and Theressa Matthews. In 1949, Her family moved from Grayson to Eloy, Arizona where she attended and graduated from George Washington Carver High School. She was 6 of 22 children in her family. She had a passion for cooking and helping her parents raise the children. When her family moved to Hood River, Oregon, she immediately started working at Diamond Fruit Growers where she retired after 38 years.

In 2001, Neal Chaffee fell in love with Mary at first-sight . They were married for 15 years and lived in Goldendale, Washington. They enjoyed planting gardens, traveling and watching wildlife outside their windows. They were inseparable and deeply in love.

Mary was a woman of honor and loved God, her husband and her family. She would never turn anyone away when they were in need or want of anything she had. She went above the call of duty to serve God and others. She always had an open door and table for anyone to come sit down to eat or talk. She was passionate about cooking soul food and specialty desserts in the kitchen.

She was dedicated to making a difference everyday of her life. She was the cornerstone of the Matthews family and a strong foundation to her family. She will be greatly missed.

Mary is survived by her husband Neal; daughter Teresa Williams and her sons: Benjamin, Mario, Vicente and Tyrone; son Leonard Williams and his wife Rebecca and their children: Stephanie Gilpin, Shayley, and Trey; daughter Eva Williams and her children Jose and Gabriel Funez; and Neal’s two sons Steve and Duane; one daughter Ann; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren and her siblings.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Please visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.