Marie LeAnne Beesley

Aug. 9, 1947 -- Nov. 17, 2009

The Estacada News, Feb 3, 2010

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Former Estacada resident Marie LeAnne Beesley, 62, passed away Nov. 17, 2009 at Wrangell Medical Center, Wrangell, Alaska, with her sister Maggie by her side. Marie moved to Wrangell Medical Center in December, 2006.

Marie was born at home to Chancy and Alice Beesley in Onarga, Ill, on Aug. 9, 1947, the youngest of eight children.

The family moved to Silverton, Ore., in 1949, and purchased a farm. Marie grew up and attended schools there. She graduated from Silverton High School in 1965.

Marie attended Mt. Angel College, Portland Art & Advertising College, and Rock Creek Portland Community College Sylvania, where she received an associate’s degree in Diesel Mechanics. Marie was a proud member of A.G.C. Operating Engineers Local 701 and a member of NOW (National Organization for Women).

Marie was a heavy equipment operator, diesel mechanic and certified welder. She lived and worked around the Portland area her entire life. She worked on many of the bridges and overpasses there. She also worked on the cleanup from the Mount St. Helens eruptions.

Marie loved riding her motorcycle, the Oregon beaches, gardening, and taking photos, until severe pain from rheumatoid arthritis and congestive heart failure put her in a wheelchair. Her electric wheelchair gave her great freedom to go out in the sunshine and visit whoever was passing by.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Jim and Charlene, and her nephew Jimmy Fennimore.

Marie is survived by brothers Earl (Peggy) Beesley of Woodburn, Ore., Art (Joyce) Beesley of Onarga, Ill., and Karl (Barbara) Beesley of Linwood, Kan.; sisters Marcella (Dave) Gentry of Stayton, Ore., and Maggie (Gene) Fennimore of Wrangell, Alaska, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Contributions in her memory may go to the charity of your choice or the Legacy Hopewell House Hospice, 6171 S.W. Capital Hwy., Portland, Ore., 97239.