Mary Lou McCauley Burrows

Mary Lou
McCauley Burrows

October 23, 2018

Mary Lou McCauley Burrows, 86, sadly passed away October 23 in Portland, Oregon of natural causes. Born in Palco, Kansas to Carl McCauley and Lucille Coddington McCauley she grew up to be a role model for friends, family and women specifically during the 1970s and 1980s.

Adoring her family and caring deeply for others, Mary raised four children and dedicated her life to public service. Soon after one year at Northwest Christian College she became involved in public issues leading her into a career in politics. She served as the secretary for the California Republican Assembly, acted as the campaign chairman for both Oregon Senator Bob Packwood (1967) and Governor Tom McCall (1970). She was a member of the Oregon House of Representatives from 1973-1987, repeatedly winning a highly democratic 4th district as a republican. She was fearless to vote against her own party if she felt it the right thing to do for her district which covered the University of Oregon. During her time as a state representative, Mary was only one of a handful of females serving in the legislature and helped pave the way for women to serve in state politics. Some of her more notable platforms centered on Women's rights, innovative recycling proposals and tax relief initiatives. Mary also ran unsuccessfully for congress in Oregon in the early 1980s. Afterwards she was invited as a fellow to the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, one of her highest achievements and honors.

In addition to her many public services in local and state government, Mary served on the Eugene Symphony board of directors and the Eugene Opera board of directors.

Mary and her husband of 66 years, Charles, raised their four children in the First Christian Church (Eugene, Oregon) and were life-long members there. She is survived by her husband Charles, their four children; Charles of Portland, Thomas, of Gresham, Shane of Eugene and a daughter, Candice of Greensboro, N.C., 7 grandchildren (Caitlin, Gretchen, Grady, Haley, Chloe, Maddie and Charles Donald),a brother, Vernon of Everett, Washington and a slew of wonderful nieces and nephews whom she adored. She will be missed and never forgotten.

Mary's Celebration of Life will be set at a later date and her ashes will be laid at the Oregon state capital in Salem. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to; Eugene Opera: 1590 Willamette street, Eugene, Oregon 97401.