Mary Ellen Hardy Workman passed away on July 16, 2024 at Legacy in Portland.
She was born on Oct. 25, 1938 in La Grande to Herbert and Martha Beddes Hardy.
She grew up and attended Willow Grade School and La Grande High School, graduating with the class of 1957. While in high school, she could play five different instruments and taught herself one more after graduation. She was born with art abilities such as drawing, painting and many more crafts.
She was united in marriage on Sept. 22, 1962 to George W. Workman of Fulton, Mo. Mary was baptized in the First Christian Church in February 1959. After her husband was transferred by the railroad in 1964, they made Hermiston their home.
In 1966, she transferred her church membership in which she served on many committees including deaconess, memberships and nominating. Also, she was in the choir for several years. She was in the singing group called The Has Been Wanna Be’s.
She was a grange member since the age of 15, starting with Blue Mountain Grange in La Grande (the second oldest grange still in the United States at the time). She served as a secretary of the junior grange and served offices of the regular grange (pomona and lady assistant steward). She was a sixth-degree member (state). Later she transferred her membership to Columbia Grange of Hermiston.
After her retirement, she joined the Has Been Wanna Be’s. She was also a secretary/treasurer for the Union Pacific employee club #19.
Mary is survived by her three children, Tina (Mike) Meyer, Hermiston, Calista Winnett, Pendleton and Steve (Audra) Workman, Hermiston; step-daughter, Kathy Porter, Estacada; a brother, Leland (Pat) Hardy; four grandchildren, Jeffrey Winnett, Natelie Workman, Trent (Rebecca) Workman and Mike (Brittany) Bass; three step-grandchildren, Connie, Monty, and Mark; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband and half-sister.
Services will be on July 24 at 10 a.m. at the First Christian Church, 775 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston.
Burial immediately follows at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Portland or to PAWS in Pendleton.
Share condolences online at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in charge of arrangements.
