Marcella “Sally” Kahn passed away at her home in Corvallis on May 28, 2023, at the age of 92, surrounded by family. She was born on April 23, 1931, in Mt. Angel, Ore., the eldest daughter of Emil and LaVelle Wilke. At three-years-old, her family relocated to Burns, where the family grew to include younger siblings, Carl, Larry, and Rita.

After graduating from Burns High School, Sally enrolled at the University of Oregon to study zoology. She worked at the Edward Hines commissary during school breaks to make money for tuition, and it was during this time that a handsome young man entered her shop to buy a fishing pole. School was suddenly no longer a priority for Sally.  She married Cecil Kahn (who apparently never had any intention of using that fishing pole to catch anything but her) on April 29, 1951. They made their home in Hines, soon welcoming two daughters, Lorraine and Debbie.

Sally was a consummate saxophonist. She had her own local dance band from the young age of 15, which eventually became a family band when Cecil joined on drums, Lorraine on harmony saxophone, and Debbie on clarinet and bass guitar.

She was not only a talented musician, she was also an accomplished quilter, cook and gardener. Many will also remember her 25 years working at the Hines Post Office, first as a postal clerk and then as postmaster.

Sally and Cecil relocated to Roseburg in 1991. After Cecil’s passing in 2012, Sally moved to Corvallis to be closer to family. Her intelligence, wicked sense of humor and kind heart will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, of 61 years, Cecil; and her brother, Carl.

She is survived by daughter, Lorraine (Brian) Jarvi of Eugene, daughter, Debbie (Brian B) Egan of Corvallis; brother, Larry (Rebecca) Wilke of Bend; sister, Rita (Mike) Damm of Bend; grandson, Aaron (Lauren) Jarvi of Redmond; granddaughters, Ivanna, Celene and Renata Jarvi of Portland; granddaughters, Nicki and Kristi Bezanson of Corvallis; great-grandson Emmett Jarvi of Redmond; and her beloved cat, Chrissy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heartland Humane Animal Shelter, 398 SW Twin Oaks Cir, Corvallis, OR 97333 in Sally’s name.