Mary Deswert

Mary Deswert

May 6, 1926 - August 19, 2025

Private Burial was held at Dufur Cemetery on August 26th

Mary is survived by her husband Deon M. Deswert; her children Pamela Rosales of Bend, Loraine Benas of Louisville, CO, JoAnn O’Dierno of Prineville, and Deon Deswert Jr, of Friend; 11 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her mother Louisa DeSantis and father Luigi DeSantis, brother Edward DeSantis and sister Caroline Deswert.

Mary and Deon were married December 25, 1948. This year would have marked 77 years together.

Mary loved to learn and teach. She taught her mother how to speak English.

Mary and Deon moved to Friend Oregon in 1976. She taught first through third grades at Dufur School until she retired in 1990.

Mary was active in her children’s schools as room mother, PTA, and 4H Leader.

After her children graduated, she earned her teaching degree at Portland State College, followed by a Master’s degree in Special Education. She taught special education at Fruit Valley School in Vancouver, WA, before moving to Dufur Elementary School.

Mary loved to travel. She and Deon visited Mexico, and took their children and spouses to Hawaii. Other trips included Turkey, Greece, Germany, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein; and Rovito, Italy, where her family is from. Her nephew Bob Deswert and wife Robbyn took Mary on a motor home tour of the southern states.

Mary was a gifted artist. She loved oil painting, and she belonged to the Dufur China Painting Club.

Other interests included the Dufur Garden Club; the Dufur Threshing Bee, of which she was an Honorary Grand Marshal. As a cancer survivor, she helped facilitate a cancer support group in The Dalles.

Following is Mary’s Celebration of Life

Celebrating the Life of Mary Deswert

Saturday October 18th, 1pm-3pm

802 NE 5th Street

Dufur, OR 97021

Food and Refreshments will be served.

Please bring your favorite stories, memories, and photos to share.

In lieu of flowers to honor Mary’s legacy, a donation box will be available at the Celebration of Life. All contributions will be made in her name, directed to the Dufur Valley School.

Please RSVP to either one of the following email addresses and the number of people joining you

Pam Rosales......pam.river97@gmail.com

JoAnn O'dierno....joann.odierno@gmail.com

Debra Deswert.....deborahkay29@aol.com