Mary Elizabeth Ballentine

Born Oct. 7, 1944, in Kenosha, Wis., she was the daughter of the late Lloyd and Katherine James. Mary was raised in Kenosha, and moved in 1978 to Woodburn, Ore.

She met her husband, Larry Ballentine, at Valley Rolling Mills in Salem. They married on July 10, 1980, and raised their three children in south Salem.

Mary enjoyed traveling and spending time with her husband. They were inseparable, and did most everything together. She also enjoyed sewing, floral design, painting, drawing, cooking, interior decorating and gardening. Mary especially loved her rose
garden.

Mary was first chair cellist in the concert orchestra and was presented with the Arion Award in music. She loved to play her cello and conducted student musicians at retirement homes to share her love of music with others. She was a 4-H leader specializing in home economics and also attended the Institute of Floral Design. Her adoring husband built her an art studio overlooking the Columbia River, where Mary spent many happy hours painting and drawing.

Mary is survived by her husband, Larry Ballentine of Longview, Wash.; two daughters, Jennifer Hutsell of Albany, Ore., and Wendy Graham of San Diego, Calif.; a son, Jayson Ballentine of Sheridan, Ark.; two sisters, Nancy James of Merritt, B.C., Canada, and Janet Musselman of Racine, Wis.; and 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother, Arnold James of Vancouver, Wash.

Her immediate family will hold a private celebration of life at their family home.