Mary Kay Voorhees, 73, passed away, after battling a brief illness, on April 11, 2021, at Riverbend Hospital with her son and daughter by her side. She was born on September 27, 1947, in Wenatchee, Wash. to Leon and Ellen Babcock. Leon served in the military and moved the family to many different military bases throughout Mary’s young life. After retiring from the military, Mary’s family settled in McMinnville, Ore. where she met her first husband Jeffrey Milligan.
While in McMinnville, Mary and Jeff had a son, Bryan, in 1967. They later moved to Eugene where their daughter Lisa was born in 1969. Soon after, Mary and Jeff divorced, and Mary began her career as a legal secretary. Mary worked for local law firms in downtown Eugene for several years.
Mary met and married Ray Fechtel, who was an attorney. Mary and Ray worked together for several years doing legal work for Ray Fechtel PC. Mary continued her legal education and was active in NALS, an association for legal professionals. Mary served on the boards and various committees of NALS of Oregon and NALS of Lane County, including having served as President for both. She was also active at the national level and attained the PLS certification in 1993. Mary enjoyed traveling to NALS events and meeting new people until she and Ray retired.
Mary came out of retirement and began working for Pacific Continental Bank. She assisted the bank’s legal counsel with many projects and also worked in the special assets area. Mary later became a special assets officer in 2008, and also worked at Umpqua Bank in the special assets group until she re-retired in 2013.
Mary remained active in the community and was dedicated to the Eugene Downtown Lions Club. She devoted herself to the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation. She served as the President of the Eugene Downtown Lions Club twice and was the Director of the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation. She received numerous awards for her service including the Helen Keller’s Benefactor award and the Lions Club International Melvin Jones Fellowship award for dedicated humanitarian services. Many Lions Club members throughout the country enjoyed Mary’s special friendship. Lion Larry King established her home in Springfield.
Mary remained widowed for many years and continued her volunteerism. She was a volunteer for Peacehealth/Sacred Heart and worked in the hospital’s gift shops. She was a member of the Daisy Ducks and enjoyed working at games, and cheering on her Oregon Ducks, especially at football and women’s basketball games.
In 2019, Mary contacted her old friend Sid Voorhees to help her find a roofing contractor and painter for her house. Mary and Sid had known each other for more than 30 years and worked together on various projects at the bank. Sid was a widower and had a lot in common with Mary. After a brief courtship, Sid and Mary married in November 2019. Mary and Sid enjoyed their time together, continuing their shared passions for community service, and enjoying friends and family. Being married to Sid was such a blessing for Mary. Albeit too short, she hadn’t felt that kind of love and happiness for many years.
Mary was selfless and a giver, not only of her time and skills, but of her love. She loved fiercely and unconditionally. She was a constant source of strength and care for others, and always had a hug when you needed one. Mary enjoyed traveling, watching her Ducks, working crossword puzzles, and good chocolate, but most of all, she enjoyed flowers of all kinds. She made incredible flower arrangements, and her happy place was on her patio surrounded by her beautiful flower baskets and pots. She lived her life much like the flowers she loved so much, bringing beauty, happiness and comfort to the lives of others. She was a special person taken way too soon, but that’s because the most beautiful flowers always get picked first.
Mary is survived by her husband Sid Voorhees, her brother Gary Babcock (Sue) of Yakima, Wash., her son Bryan Milligan of Eugene, her daughter Lisa Rose (Damon), a granddaughter Brooke Milligan and two great-grandsons. She is also survived by her two best friends, Kathleen Miller of Reedsport, Ore. and Joyce Kent of Portland, Ore. Kathleen and Joyce were like sisters to Mary and constants in her life. Celebration of life will be held for Mary sometime this summer. Remembrances can be sent to the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation at 1010 NW 23rd Ave. #144, Portland, OR 97210.
