Mary Ellen Juris

Mary Ellen Juris passed away at Rivers Walk–Assisted Living in Dayton, Washington, on May 8, 2025. She was born on September 18, 1927, at the ranch house on Lewis Gulch, Dayton, to Leo and Ethel Rose Henry. The family later moved to First Street in Dayton, where Mary Ellen spent her childhood years. 

An accomplished musician at an early age, Mary Ellen played the piano, organ, and marimba.  She participated in many competitions and traveled to play the marimba at many events in the area.  Mary Ellen continued to share her talents, serving as church organist/pianist and accompanist for many weddings and memorials throughout her adult life.

During her high school years, she worked at the Broughton National Bank as a teller and also worked at the Liberty Theater, taking tickets and selling concessions. She was a member of Rainbow and served as a state officer.

After graduating from high school in 1945, Mary Ellen attended Washington State College, graduating in 1949 with a BA in Sociology.  She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and kept in touch with several of her sorority sisters over the decades.  WSC is also where she met her future husband, Dick Juris.

Dick and Mary Ellen married on August 27, 1950, in Dayton. The first year of their marriage, they lived in Dick's hometown, Cle Elum. The following year, they moved to Dayton to work with Leo on the family farm, returning Mary Ellen to the home where she was born. Dick and Mary Ellen started their family soon after and welcomed daughters Kathee, Kris, and Janie. She spent much of her time supporting them and driving them to town so they could participate in many activities.

Mary Ellen was actively involved in farming in her role as bookkeeper. She prepared meals for the family harvest crew, ran to town for parts, and babysat her granddaughter, Makaela.

Mary Ellen was very involved in the community. She was a lifelong member of the Congregational Church, joining at age eight. Mary Ellen worked at Dayton Elementary as the school secretary for many years and was also a longtime member of AAUW, P.E.O., Cowbells, Touchet Valley Ladies' Golf Club, and the Dayton Historic Depot Society. And at age 97, Mary Ellen was the last surviving member of her beloved bridge club.

In their later years, Mary Ellen and Dick traveled extensively and spent winters at Apache Wells in Mesa, Arizona where they enjoyed golfing and participating in the community and local church.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by daughter Jane Marie Juris, sister Betty Lindley, parents Ethel and Leo Henry, and husband, Dick Juris.  She is survived by daughters Kathee Juris (Rick Nettleton) and Kris Takemura (Jay), grandchildren Makaela Corey Boulet (Warren), Marco Martinez (Aimee), and Great-grandchildren, Abby and Graham Corey-Boulet and Ella and Caroline Martinez.

The family gives special thanks to her home caretakers, Kathy Berg, Marion Mattern, hairdresser throughout the years, Lee Ann Literal, and the kind and caring staff at Rivers Walk and Dayton General and Kadlec hospitals.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, May 17, at 1 p.m. at the Dayton First Congregational Church, 214 S Third Street.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dayton Congregational Church, Touchet Valley Golf & Rec, Liberty Theater, Dayton Depot Historical Society, or a charity of choice. Corbeill Funeral Home in Dayton is caring for the family. An online guest book is available at www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com.