Mary Lee Brooks

Mary Lee Brooks, 88, of Baker City, passed away February 21, 2024 at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Baker City, with her family at her side.  A memorial service will be held March 2, 2024~2 p.m. at the Nazarene Church.  Friends will be invited to join the family for a reception to be held immediately following the service at the church.

Mary was born in Cedaredge, Colorado in 1935 in her grandparents’ home. Her birth was extra special because she was also delivered by her grandma. Mary was raised in Cedaredge, Co, Price, UT, Wapato, Yakima and Union Gap, WA. Her dad Cecil Fitchett worked construction of the Dams being built in the Northwest, so consequently they moved a lot, she attended 13 different schools when growing up and was very good at making friends wherever she went. Mary graduated high school in Sunnyside, WA in 1954.

She married Charles Brooks Sept 5, 1955 until his death in Nov 2005. She later remarried in 2008 for a short time to Bill Lee. They divorced in 2009.

Mary’s working career began in 1954 at Idaho Power.  She owned and operated a dairy in Richland, OR in 1964.  Mary later moved to Baker and worked for Levinger Drug Store. She completed her career working for the Forest Service.

Mary has been a member of the National Wildlife Federation since 2005 and a member of Baker Elks since 2009.

Mary’s Favorite color was blue, she adored roses and springtime. Her hobbies included raising flower gardens, playing bridge, cross stitching, traveling, cruises, getting together with friends for coffee and lunches, exercising, line dancing, spending time with family and milking cows-NOT!

Memorable accomplishments were her 1st job in 1954, 2nd job in 1956, her marriage to Charles in 1958, the birth of her sons and grandson and her marriage to Bill Lee in 2008.

A special phrase she would say was, “Onward we go!” and her favorite scripture was the Lord’s Prayer. Mary shared “I was blessed with the love of my family and many friends.”.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Charles, and ex husband Bill; parents Cecil and Edna Fitchett; brother Buck Fitchett.  

She is survived by her sons Clyde (Melody) Brooks of Baker City, OR and Don Brooks of Farmington, New Mexico; grandchildren Cooper( Marquita), Scott(Faith), Jessica(DJ), and Rachelle(Seth); great grandchildren Samantha, Taylor, Harrison, Ashton Drew, Blake, Rylon, Tanner, Markson, and Makayla; great-great grandchildren Jaxon and Kynlee.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Mary the family suggests Billie Ruth Bootsma Clinic or the American Heart Association through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home PO Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com