Silverton resident Mary Louise Parenteau died Jan. 18, 2015 at the age of 81. Mary was born in Manila, Philippines Nov. 2, 1933. Her Chinese father, Guan “George” Chuan Wee, MD, a surgeon, and German/Irish mother, Mary Virginia Wee, had five children. Mary was the middle child and first daughter. Her fondest childhood memories were taking her younger brother Bobby to the movie theater, to escape the Philippine heat, and feed her love for American movies.
As a child, she experienced the Japanese occupation and the Allied liberation during World War II. After the war, she moved to the U.S. and graduated as a registered nurse from Los Angeles’ Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in 1956. In December 1956, she married Aime Parenteau, a French Canadian teacher living in Southern California. They had three children; Renee, Paul and John.
After divorcing, Mary and the children moved to Oregon, having fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest after reading an article in Sunset magazine. The family moved to the hills above Silverton in 1970 where she met Alden Waterson. Married in 1972, a fourth child, Michelle, was welcomed to the family. Mary worked at Salem Memorial Hospital and then a nursing home in Silverton. She was proud of being an RN. She loved living in the country and was happiest gardening. She made few friends, but those who knew her well grew to care for her deeply. Her collection of classic movies were treasured, and she took every opportunity to share that love with her children.
Mary never missed an opportunity to experience the romance of some place new, whether it was a trip to Hawaii, Egypt, or visiting the Queen Mary 2 in New York.
Mary is survived by her brother Robert Wee (Patricia), her children Renee, Paul, John, and Michelle (John) Kuenzi, and her grandchildren Austin, Ashley, Nathan, Justin and Carson.
Services were held at St. Paul Catholic Church in Silverton on Jan. 31. Donations may be made to the Find Your Light Foundation in Mary’s name.
