Mary Ellen Westberg of Long Creek passed away on April 21, 2026 at the young age of 62 after an eight-month battle with cancer. It was a difficult journey for her – especially for someone as tough and independent as she was – but she tightened the cinch, shortened the reins, dug in the spurs, and allowed her two daughters to be her pickup riders when she needed them most.
When God finally called her home, we imagine He had her beloved horse, Captain, saddled and waiting for her. Captain had passed just two weeks before Mary, and her faithful dog, Sam, four weeks before. Together they made their way toward Heaven’s pearly gates, with Captain carrying her and Sam running faithfully alongside.
Mary was born on Dec. 26, 1963 in Bend to Dorothy and Elmer Gridley. She grew up with seven siblings (three sisters and four brothers) in Sisters, where she learned the ways of horses and logging from her father and grandfather. She preferred playing with trucks in the dirt over dolls and was never much of a girly girl, yet she always carried herself with a timeless buckaroo elegance. She attended Redmond High School, served with the U.S. Youth Conservation Corps in Oregon from 1979 to 1981, and loved spending time with cowboys and attending rodeos.
Mary spent much of her life working hard – and often doing jobs many would consider too tough for a woman, though she never saw them that way. She worked muleskidding and logging with mule teams in La Pine; drove swathers and spent time with the buckaroos of the ZX Ranch (Viewpoint Ranch) in Christmas Valley; and worked as a stable hand in Whitesboro, Texas during her younger years. She could outwork just about any cowboy – whether fencing, riding, branding, bucking hay bales, driving teams, or simply doing whatever needed to be done. She loved horses, cattle, dogs, rendezvous gatherings, and the ranch and buckaroo way of life. Above all, she loved the Lord with her whole heart.
One of Mary’s favorite things was attending the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nev. In 1987, renowned photographer Kurt Markus took a photo of her there. Little did she know that image would come full circle decades later. In 2019, she became the honorary poster figure for the 35th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, bringing her unexpected recognition within the western community she loved so much.
Mary raised two daughters to be tough as nails and good-hearted women. She welcomed her first daughter, Jessica, in March 1986 before meeting Ross in 1987. Their family grew again when Jamie arrived in August 1988. Mary and Ross married in 1990 and shared 29 years together, ranching, spending summers at cow camp in the mountains, rendezvousing, and raising their daughters throughout Central Oregon, Heppner, and Pilot Rock.
Mary moved to Long Creek in 2016 and continued living the ranch life she loved. In her later years, she embraced her role as Grandma with her whole heart. Her grandchildren brought her immense joy, and she loved each of them dearly.
Mary is survived by her daughters, Jessica Preston and Jamie Henslee; her grandchildren, Ben Henslee, Matt Henslee, Dawsen Preston, and Addisen Preston; her sisters, Anna Jung and Susan Puckett; and her brothers, Dale Gridley, Warren “Skeeter” Gridley, and Rusty Gridley.
She was preceded in death by her father, Elmer Gridley in 1980; her mother, Dorothy Gridley in 2013; her sister, Rose Wise in 2020; her brother, Carl Gridley in 2007; and her beloved horse, Captain and faithful dog, Sam in 2026.
Mary will forever be remembered as someone who never hesitated to lend a hand, always gave her best, loved fiercely, and carried the buckaroo spirit in everything she did.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Family and friends are welcome to contact her daughter, Jessica (Jessie) Preston, at 541-379-1212 for service details.
Please share memories of Mary with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
