Obituary of Mary Ann Hamilton-McClain

Born in Pittsburgh PA to Amelia Barbus Hamilton and Charles Edgar Hamilton. Mary entered the US Marine Corp Women’s Reserve in December 1943, went through boot camp at Paris Island in North Carolina, and served as MP at Arlington National Cemetery.In March 1945 she volunteered and was accepted for overseas duty in Hawaii where she continued her duties as MP for The Marine Contingency. There she met and became engaged Marine Sergeant Kenneth L. McClain in June 1945 just six weeks after meeting. In December 1945 Mary returned to Washington DC and was discharged later that month. On December 29, 1945 she married Sergeant McClain in Princeton MO. They lived in Indiana until January 1949, they moved to Kansas City, and in October 1949 transferred to Portland Oregon. Ken was recalled to Active Duty for the Korean War in Sept 1950, they moved to San Diego. While in San Diego Mary was hospitalized for 2 months suffering from infectious mononucleosis, yellow jaundice, and hepatitis. In September 1951 Ken was discharged from the service and they moved back to Portland where they remained. In 1953 she gave birth to Melanie Lynn and in 1956 gave birth to Malia Leslie. In 1961 Mary was the second person in Portland to purchase a lifetime membership to the European Health Spa. She religiously continued her 3 time per week exercise and swimming regimen for 40 years until she could no longer drive her own car. Mary enjoyed golf, swimming, gardening, her grandchildren, entertaining, luncheons, church, and her continued relationships with her Spa friends. Over the past 13 years Mary suffered from different ailments including a broken hip and triple bypass surgery. She lived her last 3 years at a foster care home in Northeast Portland. Mary is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Kenneth of Portland; daughters Melanie McClain-Reilly of Portland and Malia McClain-Sullivan of Washougal; granddaughters Jaden Sullivan of Portland, Olivia Reilly-Carter of Portland, Tenley Sullivan of Phoenix AZ, Tayler Sullivan of Portland, and Anna Reilly of Portland; a one year old great granddaughter Sophia Kate Sullivan-Harpole; and sister Janet Hamilton-Woods of VA. Preceded in death were brothers Charles Hamilton, Harry Hamilton, and sister Emily (Jana) Hamilton-Reid. A Mass will be held in honor of Mary at St. Therese Catholic Church 1:00 pm Wednesday, February 15, at 1260 NE 132nd, Portland Oregon. Military burial at Willamette National Cemetery 11:00 am Thursday, February 16. Donations may be made to www.marthamaryministries.org, arrangements were handled by Crown – Portland. The family would also like to thank Veronica Magda-Rafai her caregiver for the past 3 years, and also thank the wonderful nurses from Hospice.