Maribeth Barbara Howland

Mary was born on October 6, 1939, in Vancouver, British Columbia as part of a set of identical twins. Marilyn "Lynn" and Maribeth "Bunty" used to play tricks on the teacher by switching seats.

Mary and Lynn came to the United States to live on their aunt and uncle's cattle ranch in Maupin, Oregon when they were young. They often rode the horse "Happy" and helped with the cows. Mary loved to tell the story of her uncle taking Happy, the children's horse, out on the range. Her uncle ended up walking home due to the horse bucking him off, because her uncle weighed more than a kid. When heavy snow blocked the bus, they stayed at a hotel in town, instead of returning to the ranch. Eating at the hotel was a highlight for Mary; she spoke of it often as "the best time."

Lynn went back to Canada, but Mary stayed and became a naturalized American citizen on December 17, 1962. She obtained her GED in 1975 and was proud of both certificates.

Mary worked as a waitress in The Dalles area, and it was at her job that she became acquainted with a truck driver named Eugene "Gene" Howland. They were married on November 28, 1958, and lived in Eastern Oregon before moving to Salem. They were married for 38 years until Gene's passing in 1996.

Mary worked in the food service all her life. She worked at Woolworth's, Kmart and Tiny Tim's in their eatery areas. She worked for over 10 years at White's Restaurant in Salem, under the original owners. Mary started at Salem Hospital in the cafeteria area where she worked for 18 years in different departments of food service before retiring in 2006. Mary was also a volunteer for Meals on Wheels during her retirement. She was a hard worker, no matter what the job was.

She enjoyed bowling and was part of a women's bowling league in the 80s in Salem where she earned a 200-score pin. Mary loved going to the casinos. She visited Reno and Las Vegas several times with Gene and celebrated her 80th birthday in Las Vegas with her daughter. She was just as happy using the local slots at Denny's or Elmer's or even just buying a scratch-off ticket.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Darla Peterson (with her husband, Carl), and her son, Leon. She had nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. There are multiple nieces and nephews in Canada, along with seven surviving siblings.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, son, Bruce, and her twin sister, Lynn. Also, her parents, Joseph Perry and Bertha Douglas, along with her stepfather and three of her other siblings.

She will be laid to rest at Restlawn Memory Gardens in Salem, Oregon with her beloved Gene.