Mary Rae Joyce, 85, passed away peacefully April 4 at AarenBrooke Place in Ontario.

Mary was born Mary Rae Fake April 15, 1930, to Grace Esterbrook Fake and Theodore B. Fake in Portland. She attended St. Mary’s Academy in Portland; Western Oregon College in Monmouth; and Marylhurst College in Lake Oswego, where she received her elementary education degree. After college, she taught briefly in Madras before marrying Raymond Patrick Joyce of Juntura on Oct. 18, 1952. Mary left her city life to become a rancher’s wife and mother of 10 children.

Mary Rae and Raymond moved the family and a few ranch animals to Nyssa in 1967. There, Mary continued to focus on raising the family and, after continuing her education and credits necessary, she began teaching elementary school in Adrian. She taught in Adrian for 20 years. She is still remembered as a bright spot in the children’s day.

A devout Catholic, Mary supported Christian programs in Juntura and Nyssa. She was organist, choir director, Catechism teacher, and more. Her family and friends will miss her sometimes wicked sense of humor, her kindness, and her ability to see the good in people and any challenges that may come along.

Mary is survived by her children, Jane Frances Walter (Denny) of Apache Junction, Ariz., John Patrick (Kari) of Drewsey, Eileen Cecelia of Payette, Idaho, Joseph Michael of Las Vegas, Nev., Patricia Ann Sanchez (Carlos) of San Lorenzo, Calif., Margaret Theresa Keithley (Jay) of Ontario, Sheila Marie Penny (Kevin) of Portland, and Christopher Peter (Robin) of Cottage Grove; brother, Ted Fake of Vancouver, Wash.; 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her children, Paul James and Theodore Raymond; her husband, Raymond; and her parents.

A service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 22, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Ontario.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, spiritual and monetary remembrances be given to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Ontario.