Boone, Mary Jane Sim 

92 08/23/1916 07/03/2009 Mary was born of Scottish descent, living to age 92! She 
will be remembered by family and friends for her talent as a family writer, poet, piano 
player, composer, seamstress and for her gifting of homemade "Scottish Shortbread." 
She was one of three daughters, all born in America. She graduated from Collins View 
at 12, and at 16 graduated from Commerce High School (Cleveland). Jobs included the 
main branch of the Multnomah County Library, a Portland bank, Reingold Jewelers, and 
Hess & Butchart Investments. On Jan. 16, 1943, she married Donald Luther Boone, 
great-great-great-grandson of famous frontiersman, Daniel Boone. Don was born Oct. 
5, 1913, and passed July 12, 1987 at 73. He also graduated from Collins View and 
attended Benson High School. Don loved the water, built two sailboats, was artistic, a 
Mason member, president of Boone Family Association, had a great sense of humor 
and never lost interest in motorcycles and boats! Jobs included B.P. John Furniture Co., 
at age 12 hand painting designs before decals were used; "Boone Brothers Sign 
Shop," hand lettering all window signs for Meier & Frank and other stores in Portland. 
He and his brother also taught wood carving at Timberline Lodge for the WPA. He was 
a Kaiser shipyard supervisor, worked for the telephone company, was a sales manager 
for a number of companies, taught sales classes at Lewis & Clark College, was a Home 
Builders Association officer, and self employed. While Don always provided for the 
family, Mary was a devoted wife and mother, giving to her community in church, youth 
groups, PTA, Campfire and Bethel. She had an undying faith and lived her religion 
daily. Mary is survived by her sister, Mabel S. Ruffner; daughters, "The Boone Sisters" - 
Janet Boone McGarrigle and Carolyn Boone Grenfell; granddaughters, Kellee and 
Richelle; great-grandchildren, Justen, Bradford, Alexa and Chandler Patey and Marijane 
and Payton Fitzgerald. Both Mary and Don enjoyed childhood memories on Tryon 
Creek and enjoyed residing in Multnomah in their adult life. Their house is a four 
generation home (57 years). Contributions may be made to Friends of Tryon Creek or 
Multnomah Historical Association.

Published in The Oregonian on 7/12/2009