Mary Gorham Passes Away at 46
Mary E. Gorham of Hermiston died on Jan. 9, 2026 in Hermiston at the age of 46.
She was born on Sept. 29, 1979 in Umatilla to James and Susan McArthur Whelan.
Mary attended school in Stanfield where she was an enthusiastic student, participating in FFA and raising and showing pigs. She graduated from Stanfield High School in the class of 1997. Mary then earned her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Oregon University in 2001 and that fall began her teaching career at West Park Elementary School in Hermiston. She loved her students like her own and always went above and beyond to help them succeed and to make sure they knew that she cared. Mary married Corey Gorham in August 2003 and from this union they have two daughters, Renna and Maggie. She cherished the time raising her daughters and teaching, as well as enjoying her time gardening and planning events for others.
She is survived by her husband, Corey Gorham; daughters, Renna and Maggie Gorham; parents, Jim and Susan Whelan; sister, Stacy Ordway (Ryan, Andrew); brother, Chris Whelan (Irene, Savannah and Charles); and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Greg and Wren Gorham.
Mary was preceded in death by her grandparents, Harold and Ruby McArthur and James and Marjorie Whelan; and sister-in-law, Stacy Gorham.
Per Mary’s wishes, an informal gathering for family and friends will be held on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 from 1 until 3 p.m. at West Park Elementary School.
Please share memories of Mary with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
