A5
THE ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020
OBITUARIES
For anyone who knew
Marlene Mestrich, an Asto-
rian for 60 years, they would
know her as a very passion-
ate, active and energetic
community volunteer, home-
maker, mother of three, and
much, much more.
Her love for most all
things Astoria did not seem
to have many if any bound-
aries. Those who knew her
well were very much aware
of her fortitude in accom-
plishing her goals, which
often included her periodi-
cally ignoring the boundaries
around her.
Marlene Ardys Ballew
was born on Oct. 16, 1932, in
Hot Springs, South Dakota,
to Don and Blanche (Abel-
son) Ballew. The fi rst for-
mative years of her life were
spent in the beauty of the
Black Hills, where she grew
up in Hill City during the
1930s as the middle of three
Ballew daughters. They were
constantly seeking a bet-
ter life than the depths of the
Great Depression had thrown
at them.
After World War II broke
out, the family moved, and
moved and moved … and
continued to move. Her father
became a fl ight instructor for
Navy and Army Air Corps
schools.
She often shared the
story of moving 13 different
times in a single elementary
school year. The family trav-
eled across the western U.S.,
from Puyallup to Yakima to
Prescott, Arizona to Idaho
to Utah and various places
in California and back to
Washington.
Following her father’s
World War II service, the
family made it to Puyallup,
and a year later they jogged
the short distance to Tacoma.
That move marked the end of
Marlene’s constantly revolv-
ing schools, and it was there
that she set down even more
roots, attending Jason Lee
Junior High School and grad-
uating from Stadium High
School in the Class of 1951.
Marlene was proud of her
Marlene Mestrich
Merilyn Jean Jensen
Astoria
Oct. 16, 1932 — June 28, 2020
Astoria
Dec. 16, 1938 — Aug. 2, 2020
high school, one of the most ternal organization that sup-
stunningly beautiful schools ported the Astoria Regatta,
in the entire U.S. It was orig- by hosting luncheons, the
inally built as an
Regatta
Queen
over-the-top hotel
Coronation,
the
in the 1890s, and
Anchor Tea, par-
completed as a
ticipating in the
high school in the
Regatta Parade and
1900s — a role it
much more. By the
continues to ful-
1980s she had held
fi ll to this day.
their highest offi ce
She was not only
of skipper and oth-
a popular student,
ers, had been the
but a member of
court chaperone
the “Tigeranna” Marlene Mestrich and then some.
marching team and
As organiza-
the cheerleading squad.
tions became more and more
After high school, Mar- co-ed, it was a natural leap
lene rose quickly through for her to join the Astoria
the secretarial pool to assist Regatta Association Board,
the Army leadership at Fort and eventually lead that orga-
Lewis, and it was there that nization. And lead it, she did!
she met the love of her life: Forging strong ties with the
Christopher Paul Mestrich. Royal Rosarians, s hips u p
When he asked Marlene for r iver to the Portland Rose
her hand in marriage, and to Festival, the Northwest Fes-
join him in their life’s journey tival Association and others,
— she happily accepted.
helping the festival to bloom.
They married at Saint Pat-
But her greatest love of the
rick’s c hurch in Tacoma on Astoria Regatta was bringing
April 11, 1953, then made in the Navy and Coast Guard
their home in Astoria, where ships for the August event.
Chris worked with his brother This was a skill; she was
and father at Chris’ News. very good (and persistent) at.
Marlene became the secre- There’s a great Daily Asto-
tary at the Astoria Chamber rian story about a ship can-
of Commerce, which was celing its 2003 Regatta visit
conveniently located in the due to being called into secu-
very same building as Chris’ rity operations off the coast
at 14th and Commercial of California.
streets.
Marlene promptly hit
As the 1950s came into the phones until she got the
full blossom, and the 1960s results she wanted. To the
began, Marlene focused on astonishment of the USS
raising her family. After hav- Ford commander, the head
ing their three children, and of the entire Third Fleet con-
getting them off to school, she tacted him personally, redi-
turned her sights on becom- recting the vessel to go ahead
ing actively involved in the with its Regatta visit because
community. In fact, for Mar- … “some lady had been on
lene the term actively may the phone and …”
just be an understatement!
If she wasn’t work-
Marlene’s love for pro- ing on something regarding
moting all things Astoria led the community, you could
to an active role with the always fi nd her sharing her
Astoria Chamber of Com- love of Astoria with every-
merce as a volunteer a mbas- one she met while working at
sador, as well as becoming Chris’ News. Her hard work
a recipient of their highest and community involve-
honor in 1989: the George ment culminated with being
Award.
honored by the American
She was thoroughly Association of University
involved with the Astoria Women for Astoria’s Bicen-
Anchor Club, a women’s fra- tennial as one of 100 Women
Who Helped Make Astoria
Unique.
Marlene will always be
remembered for being a
“Cheerleader for her commu-
nity — an amazing woman
who got things done!”
Marlene’s husband of 58
years, Chris, passed in 2012;
and in 2013, she left Asto-
ria to be close to her chil-
dren and care in s outhwest
Washington.
On June 28, 2020, Mar-
lene passed peacefully in her
sleep. After 32,033 days of
life with us, she is now joy-
fully reunited with her hus-
band, Chris, her mother,
father and sister, Bubs.
Surviving Marlene are
her loving children, Paul,
Carol (Jerry) and Monica
(Michael); her grandchil-
dren, Sebastian, Harrison and
Nathaniel; and her sister, De.
A heartfelt thank you from
the family to all the wonder-
ful caregivers who touched
Marlene’s life; especially to
everyone at Fairgate Estate
— we will forever be grateful
to you for blessing her with so
much love and compassion.
If you would like to
remember Marlene with a
donation, the family would
greatly appreciate directing it
towards a local cause she very
much embraced: The Clat-
sop County Historical Soci-
ety. Please mail the donation
to the Clatsop County His-
torical Society, P.O. Box 88,
Astoria, OR., 97103, or make
a donation over the phone by
calling 503-325-2203.
There is no celebration of
life planned. Instead, once
the COVID-19 pandemic has
stabilized and is manageable,
there is the hope and desire
that reunions of the extended
families can occur.
Most importantly, if you
love or loved Astoria, you
would have loved Marlene,
and the legacy she left. It
would be her wish that you
follow a similar pathway
wherever you are at: Live
your life to the fullest — and,
like Marlene, don’t always
take no for an answer!
Jack helped more than 80
local business owners navigate
the Small Business
Administration’s Paycheck
Protection Program, securing
nearly $15 million in lending.
Partner for Business!
EQUIPMENT , INC.
Jack Ficken
VP/Relationship Manager,
Commerical Loan Officer
SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS
(503) 298-2330
jficken@lewisandclarkbank. com
34912 HWY 101 BUS • ASTORIA
503-325-0792 • 1-800-220-0792
Lewis & Clark Bank Astoria | 988 Commercial Street
SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA
TODAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
facebook.com/dailyastorian
CLATSOP
POWER
Hats Off to You, Jack
You truly are a
Merilyn Jean Jensen involved in the Astoria
passed away in Portland on Midsummer Scandinavian
Aug. 2, 2020.
Festival, the C rab, Sea-
She was born
food & Wine
Dec. 16, 1938,
F estival and the
in Salem, Ore-
Great
Colum-
gon, to Tony and
bia
Crossing.
Lillian Hromas.
She was a cruise
She grew up on
ship
greeter,
her family’s farm
and enthusiasti-
with her sib-
cally shared her
lings, Wayne and
love of Asto-
Marlys, attend-
ria. She was
ing elementary
highly involved
Merilyn Jensen
school at a two-
at First Lutheran
room
school-
Church, in addi-
house near Crabtree.
tion to being a member of
She attended Albany the Astoria Senior Cen-
High School and graduated ter, the Clatsop County
from Oregon State Uni- Historical Society and the
versity, where she majored Columbia River Maritime
in elementary education. Museum.
Merilyn enjoyed golf-
While in college, she was
a member of the Delta ing, fi shing, arranging
Gamma s orority and Mor- fl owers and was an avid
tar Board. She began her gardener. She loved to
teaching career in Beaver- travel, and enjoyed navi-
gating on her and John’s
ton, Oregon.
In 1963 she married many road trips throughout
John Jensen, and they the years. She enjoyed her
made their home in Asto- bridge group and birthday
ria with their son, Eric. group. She was an excel-
Merilyn taught elemen- lent baker, and known
tary school in Astoria for especially for her apple
several years. She later pies and her cookies.
Merilyn will be missed
worked at Coast to Coast in
by all who knew her. She
Warrenton before retiring.
Merilyn was very ser- is survived by her hus-
vice-minded, and was band, John Jensen; son,
involved in many local Eric (Sue) Jensen; grand-
organizations during her children, Clairisa and Brett
life. She is especially Jensen; brother, Wayne
remembered for her kind, Hromas; and many nieces
giving nature and always and nephews.
Memorial contributions
putting others fi rst. She
was in the Anchor Club, may be made to the Astoria
PEO and she served on the High School Scholarships
YMCA Board of Directors. Inc. , PEO Scholarship
She served on the Ore- Fund or the First Lutheran
gon State a lumni b oard Church.
Due to COVID-19, a
for six years, volunteered
at the Astoria-Warrenton gathering will not be held.
Caldwell’s Luce-Lay-
Area Chamber of Com-
merce for 25 years and ton Mortuary is in charge
served on the Astoria Civil of the arrangements; please
sign the online guest book
Service Commission.
Merilyn had been at caldwellsmortuary.com
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
REGIONAL FORECAST
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Seattle
68 53
Clearing
69 56
69 54
70 53
Sunny to partly
Partly sunny
cloudy
Partly sunny
70 55
69 54
Low clouds
Chance of a
shower
68 53
Mostly sunny
Aberdeen
Olympia
67/55
70/55
Wenatchee
Tacoma
Moses
Lake
72/49
ALMANAC
UNDER THE SKY
TODAY'S TIDES
Astoria through Tuesday
Tonight’s Sky: The Great Square
of Pegasus is in the eastern night
sky after sunset.
Astoria / Port Docks
Temperatures
High/low ................................ 71/57
Normal high/low .................. 68/54
Record high .................. 92 in 2012
Record low .................... 43 in 1982
Precipitation
Tuesday ................................... 0.00”
Month to date ........................ 0.03”
Normal month to date ......... 0.10”
Year to date .......................... 38.49”
Normal year to date ........... 37.29”
Forecasts and graphics provided by
AccuWeather, Inc. ©2020
Time
High (ft.) Time Low (ft.)
3:15 a.m.
4:24 p.m.
7.6 10:05 a.m. -0.6
7.0 10:17 p.m. 1.7
Cape Disappointment
2:51 a.m.
4:01 p.m.
Source: Jim Todd, OMSI
Hammond
SUN AND MOON
Sunrise today .................. 6:04 a.m.
Sunset tonight ............... 8:38 p.m.
Moonrise today ........... 10:31 p.m.
Moonset today ............... 9:03 a.m.
Last
New
First
Full
3:06 a.m.
4:12 p.m.
Warrenton
3:10 a.m.
4:19 p.m.
Knappa
3:52 a.m.
5:01 p.m.
Depoe Bay
Aug 11 Aug 18 Aug 25 Sep 1
2:03 a.m.
3:15 p.m.
7.7 9:16 a.m. -0.6
6.8 9:24 p.m. 1.9
8.0 9:33 a.m. -0.7
7.2 9:47 p.m. 1.8
8.0 9:49 a.m. -0.5
7.4 10:01 p.m. 1.8
7.8 11:06 a.m. -0.5
7.3 11:18 p.m. 1.4
8.1 8:44 a.m. -0.6
7.2 8:54 p.m. 2.3
City
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Dallas
Denver
Honolulu
Houston
Los Angeles
Miami
New York City
Phoenix
San Francisco
Wash., DC
Fri.
Hi/Lo/W
89/70/s
83/69/pc
80/62/pc
98/79/pc
91/63/t
88/77/pc
95/74/pc
77/59/pc
92/79/t
82/69/s
109/82/s
71/56/pc
82/72/t
91/72/s
76/66/pc
83/66/s
97/79/pc
95/65/pc
90/77/sh
93/75/s
78/61/pc
91/79/t
80/70/t
110/84/s
72/55/pc
85/73/t
Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy,
c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms,
r-rain, sf-snow fl urries, sn-snow, i-ice.
86/57
Hermiston
The Dalles 84/54
Enterprise
Pendleton 76/42
80/49
77/55
La Grande
79/45
75/49
NATIONAL CITIES
Today
Hi/Lo/W
77/46
Kennewick Walla Walla
82/55 Lewiston
87/54
70/53
Salem
Pullman
79/48
Longview
68/53 Portland
74/55
78/49
Yakima 85/54
72/49
Astoria
Spokane
77/54
Corvallis
76/49
Albany
74/49
John Day
Eugene
Bend
78/48
74/39
80/47
Ontario
93/59
Caldwell
Burns
83/40
91/55
Medford
83/54
Klamath Falls
78/40
City
Baker City
Brookings
Ilwaco
Newberg
Newport
Today
Hi/Lo/W
82/42/s
68/52/pc
66/56/c
73/49/r
61/47/sh
Fri.
Hi/Lo/W
80/45/s
72/59/s
67/56/pc
79/53/pc
61/48/pc
City
North Bend
Roseburg
Seaside
Springfi eld
Vancouver
Today
Hi/Lo/W
68/52/pc
79/53/pc
67/54/c
75/48/c
72/52/r
Fri.
Hi/Lo/W
68/54/s
85/56/s
69/55/pc
82/51/s
77/56/pc