Mary-Lee Brown, age 91, died Tuesday, April 30, 2013 in Albany OR at Lydia's House, an Alzheimer's care facility.

She was born April 10, 1922 in Medford OR, the daughter of Frederick and Elsie (Small) Strang. A native Oregonian and member of a southern Oregon pioneer family, she was proud of her Oregon heritage. She graduated from Medford Senior High School in 1940 and spent the years during World War II working in Medford and enjoying USO dances at Camp White. She married Lee Evan Brown of Applegate OR in 1948; he preceded her in death in 1973. They made their home in Grants Pass where she was an active member of Bethany Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder, choir member and Sunday school secretary; PEO Chapter AG, serving as president and in many other positions; the Knife and Fork club, where she served as its first female president, and Eastern Star. She retired in 1986 from Southern Oregon State Bank in Grants Pass as an assistant vice president and moved to Woodburn OR in 1989 where she enjoyed traveling, serving as an elder and singing in the choir at First Presbyterian Church and participating in PEO in that city. She was proud of her 50-year PEO membership. In 2009 she moved to Corvallis OR and attended First Presbyterian Church in Corvallis. Her great loves were homemaking, bridge, travel and music. She sang in church choirs directed by her mother as a young adult in Medford and continued her choir membership in Grants Pass and Woodburn Presbyterian churches, participating until she was well into her 80s. One of her favorite memories was meeting and introducing Ronald Reagan, prior to his candidacy for President, at a Knife and Fork Club dinner in Grants Pass.

She is survived by her two children, Robert (Becky) of Corvallis OR and Rebecca of Sacramento CA. Survivors also include grandchildren Brien and Jennifer Bell of Sacramento and Lee and Hayley Brown of Eugene OR and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Saturday, May 18 at 1 p.m. at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Grants Pass. Private burial services will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Grants Pass. Contributions in her memory can be made to Bethany Presbyterian Church, 741 NW 4th St, Grants Pass, OR 97526 or to a charity of the donor's choice.