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Mary attended Sunset with us but moved before graduation.
 Mary Joyce Stearns
July 30, 1945 - April 17, 2015
Mary Joyce Stearns passed away at age 70 on April 17, 2015 at her home in Astoria, Oregon. The daughter of Lloyd and Rena (Bunce) Stearns, she was born and raised in the Beaverton/Portland Oregon area. Mary graduated from North Salem High School in 1962. She worked at the DMV before her marriage to Glenn Barker in 1964. After their divorce, Mary went to school and graduated from Chemeketa Community College in 1982, becoming an LPN. She worked at most of the nursing homes in the Salem, Oregon area at one time or another. Mary always wanted to live at the beach and moved to Astoria, Oregon in 2005 where she worked in local nursing homes and as a home health caregiver until her retirement in 2010.
Mary loved walking on the beach, Elvis, watching television and movies, collecting pig knicknacks and visiting with her grandchildren. She was a voracious student of philosophy and religion and was fascinated with Orion's Belt. She was a firm believer in supporting Doernbecher Children's Hospital, as they saved her life when she was very young.
Mary is survived by her son Gregory Barker (Kathleen Flewelling) of Seaside, OR; daughter Gwendolyn (Roy) Herrmann of Shaw, OR; her son Gary Barker (Tina Torres) of Salem, OR; grandchildren Kory, Tiara, Austin and Justin of Salem, OR, and Rhea of Bend, OR; great-grandchildren Zoey and Phoenix; sister Velma Wheeler of Portland, OR, along with numerous other relatives and her two cats Maisy and Miles.
A Celebration of Life will be at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, OR on June 6th at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Mary's name to The Doernbecher Children's Hospital Foundation. Call 503-294-7101 or donate online.
"To Infinity and Beyond"
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Judith (Judy) Ann Ross (Schaller)
Mary was my dear friend all through grade school and into high school. No one could giggle and blush as enthusiastically as Mary! We drifted apart but renewed our friendship at the Aloha Huber reunion. Do Owings, Mary and I got together a couple of times in the 90's but haven't seen them since. rip dear Mary...
Michael Frederick Kidby
Mary had a lovely smile that would brighten the lives of those around her. She will be remembered and missed.
Diane Shirley (Owings)
Mary was my dear lifelong friend, having met in first grade in Aloha. She had the sweetest soul. She was one of the kindest women I have ever met and loved unconditionally, and especially loved her children fiercely. She never tried to pretend she was anyone but herself, and believed people could take her or leave her. She was a hard worker and tenaciious about providing for her children and their home when her husband ended their marriage.She was thoughtful, always, and tried to have a positive outlook every day. I miss our sack lunches since she has passed away, and the happy conversations we would have. Rest in peace, Mary Joyce.