In Memory

Mary Phillips (Lepschat)

Mary Phillips (Lepschat)

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Mary C. Lepschat
Sept. 27, 1953 - July 23, 2020
Mary C. Lepschat, 66, a longtime resident of the Forest Grove community, died Thursday afternoon, July 23, 2020 at her home. Born Sept. 27, 1953 in Norfolk, Neb., the daughter of the late William Lloyd Phillips and Anna Mae (Curran) Phillips. She was raised and received her early education in Nebraska and Illinois, until the age of fourteen years old, when she moved with her family to Oregon, settling in the Lake Oswego community. Mary completed her schooling in Lake Oswego, having been a graduate of the Lake Oswego High School Class of 1971.
She was united in marriage to John H. Lepschat, Sr., May 5, 1979 in Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Oswego, Ore. They celebrated their 41st Wedding Anniversary this past May. Following their marriage they have made their home in the Forest Grove community, since.
Mary worked at O.K. Floral in Forest Grove for five years. She later worked as a teacher's aide for special needs children for the Forest Grove School District #15, at the Forest Grove High School and at Harvey Clarke Elementary School for five years, until 2007, when she retired. She was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church, having been a member of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Lake Oswego, St. Anthony's Parish in Forest Grove and Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Verboort.
Among her special interests, Mary enjoyed water and snow skiing, walking, running, and playing with her grandchildren. She was an avid fan of the Cubs and the Trailblazers.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Anna Phillips. Survivors include her husband, John Lepschat, Sr. of the family home in Forest Grove, Ore.; her son and daughter-in-law, Johnny and Sreymon Lepschat, of Portland, Ore.; her daughter and son-in-law, Tiffany and Sean Anderson, of Milwaukie, Ore.; her four brothers and sisters-in-law, Mike and Patty Phillips, of Naperville, Ill.; Bill Phillips, of Beaverton, Ore.; John and Jan Phillips, of Tualatin, Ore., Dave and Kathy Phillips, of Portland, Ore.; and her sister, Julieanna Phillips and her partner, Marc Gurvitz, of Malibu, Calif. Also surviving are her three grandchildren, Mickey Anderson, S.J. Anderson and Emma Lepschat; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family suggests that remembrances may be contributions to the American Cancer Society, Oregon Chapter, 330 S. Curry Street, Portland, Oregon 97239, in her memory.
Private Family Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, at the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 4285 N.W. Visitation Road in Verboort, with Fr. Michael Vuky, celebrant. Rite of Christian Burial will follow at the Visitation Catholic Cemetery, N.W. Osterman Road and N.W. Visitation Road in Verboort. To sign the online guest book or to send a condolence to the family go to: www.fuitenrosehoyt.com
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits

Published in The Oregonian from Jul. 27 to Jul. 29, 2020.



 
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07/31/20 06:30 PM #1    

Karen Cortese (Galbraith)

We are so very sorry to hear about Mary's passing. She was always a kind and caring personality in high school .  Looking at her bio it looks like she was a wonderful  wife, mother, and grandmother too. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and close friends.

Scott and Karen


08/01/20 05:24 PM #2    

Pam James (Stafford)

In high school I always appreciated her positive attitude and her laugh. 


08/01/20 05:27 PM #3    

Mike Riedl

Very sad to hear about Mary...She lived just up the street from my family home...Her dad sang with mine in the Choir at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic church...I know that her mother fought with cancer for awhile but she died late in life... Mary was just into that wonderful grandmothering  stage... just too young to leave her family and friends but God decided to bring her home early...  We will all miss her... She deeply loved her mom and dad and followed their lead in her faith... I know she is with them in heaven now, finally at the end of her pilgrimage...she's reached her goal and now, at peace and in joy, will be loving us from afar...


08/02/20 10:07 AM #4    

Ted Thompson

Mary was the kindest person I have ever encountered in life. I have always remembered her for that. Her smile could melt the hardest heart. The world is a lesser place without her.


08/02/20 12:40 PM #5    

Vicky Taylor (McMath)

It's always sad to lose a classmate.  I remember her beautiful smile and friendliness.


09/30/22 12:27 PM #6    

Ric Bailey

Mary was so kind and humble.  An amazing woman, athletic and bright.  Became Bruce Springsteen's sister in law, but when we lost Mary, we lost a real star.


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