Obituary of Rose Mary Lyke

ROSE MARY LYKE

Rose Mary Lyke, age 73, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2020, at her home in Corvallis. She was born at home in Petersburg, Nebraska April 1947, the 6th of 9 children. Rose Mary was age 9 when her family moved to Oregon. She grew up in Junction City and Harrisburg, attending Harrisburg High School. In 1964, she married and had 2 daughters, Sandra and Susan, raising them in Bellfountain, OR. The year 1976, she began work at Hewlett/Packard in Corvallis OR remaining there until her retirement. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, with 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Rose Mary wrote many short stories in the last few years of her life to preserving for future generations what it was like growing up in the 50s & 60s. Among them, an exciting story she would tell was living in Nebraska and having to run to the storm cellar (cave) when a tornado was coming. She also loved telling her story of coming west by train.

Rose Mary lived a full life and many accomplishments, including; sailing to the Sea of Cortez, Mexico twice; navigating the Panama Canal herself and sailing up the Gulf of Mexico to Texas; going back to school as a first-generation student, to get her Associate Degree at Clark College in Vancouver. She loved her flower gardens and watching the hummingbirds in her backyard. She helped create a beautiful large rock garden from real stone with 2 ponds and a perpetual waterfall, calling it her sanctuary. She always looked forward to attending her book club meetings with her friends. She enjoyed antique shopping with her husband Ted, as well as traveling and camping in their trailer with 2 cats. She loved family and holiday gatherings. Christmas was her favorite. She would decorate her house with all kinds of snowmen. She loved scrapbooking, making books for her daughters, and all the grandchildren. She also loved coffee dates with her friends and chatting for hours. Rose Mary loved to sit outside under the oak tree and count all of her blessings and she encouraged her family to do the same.

Rose Mary is survived by her husband Ted Lyke, daughters Sandi Hunt and Suzy Jennings; stepson Rob Pollacek; 4 grandsons, Derek Lindsey, Justin, Jeremy, and Jacob Jennings; 3 granddaughters, Sara Smith, Danielle Lindsey, and Kayla Oakes; 6 great-grandchildren, Penelope Lindsey, Porter, and Ensley Smith, Charlie Hale, Amelia Lindsey, and Avery Jennings; 4 brothers; 2 sisters, Marlys Null and Barbara Williams, and several nieces, nephews, many friends, and two cats, Myra and Ruby who will miss her.

Rose Mary will be laid to rest at Alford Cemetery in Harrisburg. Per her wishes, there will not be a funeral or gathering. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Ovarian Cancer Research at www.cancerresearch.org/ovarian/donate, or simply sitting and remembering the good times shared with her, while sipping a cup of tea on a sunny Spring day.