Mary Christensen

I was quite sad to hear of Mary's passing. She holds such a place in my heart and childhood memories. I have so many memories of Mary and Don, where to begin? I remember camping in Yosemite, playing with pipe cleaner people and plastic horses with Karen, Mara and my sister Greta, along the river. I remember taking the train down to their house in Hanford, for spring break. Greta and I had just recovered from chicken pox, mom was worried they'd kick us off the train with our scabby faces, but they didn't. I don't remember what we did that week, but I know it was fun. Many many camping trips together, and horseback riding when Karen was a guide at Sequoia Park. And then we got the cabin together. Winters of XC skiing, hiking in summer and fall, swimming in the lake, sitting by the fire reading, and epic Thanksgiving dinners, crazy hat nights wearing socks and underwear on our heads. Sledding at midnight on New Year's Eve, with flashlights lighting our way down the icy slope. Getting to know Marie Goraguer, their French exchange student, who I am still friends with and have visited in France more than once. Greg and I visited Mary and Don on Lopez, where they seemed happy to have found the community they were seeking when they moved north to Portland post retirement. They were clearly thriving in such a beautiful place. Mary and Don, I hold you both close in my heart, where I cherish the memories of all the fun times we had together. Much love to Karen, Mara and family, and all those who miss them.

xo Kieren Dutcher

I would often hear from people my age during the holidays that it was time to deal with the outdated and intolerant opinions of their grandparents. I never fully understood what they meant, because Don and Mary were some of the most gentle and kind people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Many times during my college years, during peaks of stress and busyness, the place I wanted to be most in the world was in the calm and quiet refuge of my grandparent's home. Mary was a person that radiated joy, and had always had some loving advice. Around 2018, during a family Christmas, she sat down on a chair-height cushion that swiftly sent her falling over backwards. Immediately, everyone worriedly rushed over to find that she had gracefully rolled on to her back, and as we lifted her up, she just laughed and with a smile on her face she said she "thought it was a chair"! If rolling through a surprising situation and coming out of it with a laugh and a smile isn't Mary Christensen, then I don't know what is. To my memory, she was my only grandmother, but she was also the best one I could have asked for.

Connor

Kindly find a little note and poem for Mary Christensen. My american Mother, and host family for a full year back in 1981-1982, it was a life changing experience for the 18 yrs old french senior high school girl whom I was at the time. Getting to know Mary, her beloved husband Donald, their daughters Mara and Karen, their hearts, their mindsets, their family lives, their own unique way to care always about others, in their personal and professional lives, their ambition to let people develop into a better self without imposing, yet with principles, solid human values. What a chance, what a treasure, wonderful intense memories of feeling anchored in 2 different families spreading over 2 continents. Mary was such a fun person to be with, curious, open minded, joyful, leaving no stone unturned and always with an amazing pragmatic mindset considering the glass half full and finding a way forward, what a powerful lady always empowering others, interested into cultures, travels, a deep respectful love for nature, mountains, flowers... Such a chance and singular idea to think that as an individual my human beings foundations are so solid built thanks to my biological parents, and my "foster" AFS parents Don and Mary, but it is the truth, I learned so much, I was so inspired by the life they lived. I don't know how I can express my gratitude, my luck that my life came across Mary & Don and their family. It is such a deep loss, to know that I am not going to hug Don and now Mary, any longer in this life, I will even more so cherish all the beloved memories of all the moments, activities, conversations, hiking, travels, discussions we had a chance to live together. So grateful that we could maintain connections, our affectionate love for each other and deep relationship, with Mary, Don, Mara, my american sister and their children/grand children when they came to visit me, my family in France, Brittany, China where I lived also ... I had regretfully too few opportunities to come back to spend time and visit them in Hanford/ California, Portland/Oregon then the beautiful Lopez Island...however I always felt so rooted in their lives.

Marie

I will never forget the warmth with which you invited two kids in their twenties into your home while we searched for an apartment and jobs in Portland. We didn't know you well, but you taught me that this is what family does for each other, we invite each other in, we support where we can, and I am so grateful for the landing pad you provided us. I remember distinctly witnessing your beautiful paintings and thinking that you were setting a beautiful example of what a peaceful retirement might look like. I remember nights in your hot tub, afraid of being too loud. I remember incredible breakfast spreads, on beautiful tablecloths, light coming in at every window. I remember the care in your hands and voice and smile. I remember your energetic spirit feeding me with energy too. Mary, what a beautiful life you have built and lived and loved! I will always hold a special place for you in my heart. I am thinking of you, and sending my love.

With love,

Caitlin

She's an amazing woman with an infinite capacity for love. It's no surprise to me that she raised her family to be the same. I'll never stop loving her for the time when Cait and I stayed with them and I found a cannister of paprika that expired in 1974. She's a legend and I will love her forever.

Jordan

Mary became an important part of my life when we were young mother's living in Montclair. We met on the phone, (when Mary was sending Christmas cards out to some of Don's friends and realized that we lived nearby and called).We talked for two hours, went to our homes and had dinner, then she came over and we talked for another two hours! Instant best friends! From then on we saw each other often, each having two daughters, so frequent trips to the park and playground were a must. We also met often at camp grounds. One Easter the Christensens were at our house and Mary said we should buy our own campground! (as camp sites were becoming crowded and noisy)Thus began the search for the perfect cabin! We found it at Cow Creek, in the Stanislaus National Forest. We spent many happy times there. Including family work days. Although in recent years we haven't been able to see each other often, but knew we were only a phone call away.

Although I have had other friends that I have enjoyed being with, Mary is the the one that has been closest to my heart.

Nancy

From the first moment I met her, I could tell that she was a truly kind soul, and that feeling only deepened as I was given the chance to know her. She did not hesitate to welcome me into the family and went out of her way to make sure that I felt loved. I cherish the handmade Christmas stocking that she gave me on one of our visits to the island.

I was always so thankful for the wisdom and life advice that she was so willing to share every time she asked how I was doing, and she knew just how to make a person feel at peace. I recall one of those times being her simply taking me out for a walk to get some fresh air and chat, and I look back on that with such fondness and gratitude. I also remember one of the first times that I met Mary, I was in the midst of dealing with the stress of writing a difficult email to a college professor. As was typical for her, she was radiating her bright, warm energy and already uplifting the mood and helping to boost my confidence just through her positivity. She then she gave me the perfect advice that I have never forgotten which still makes me smile and stand a little taller to this day: “Pretend like you're 80 years old and you've seen some shit.”

I'm so grateful for the mark she has left on my life and the lives of others.

With love,

Courtney

Marie