As her obituary states, Mavis Joyce's passing on March 31 was "an end of an era." At 97 years old, Mrs. Joyce passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Cornell Estates retirement home.

Born and raised in South Dakota, the "Original Mother Goose" eventually moved to Hillsboro and was a teacher for the Hillsboro Elementary School District since the 1950s, including a tenure at Peter Boscow Elementary School (where she taught at least one current staff person in kindergarten).

A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, April 29, 2 to 4 p.m., at Cornell Estates, 1005 NE 17th Avenue, Hillsboro. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mrs. Joyce's name to the Hillsboro Schools Foundation.

Former students and colleagues are also welcome to sign her online guest book.


 

Toni Vee Shearer, a special education teacher at Peter Boscow and Tobias from 1984 to 2003 when she retired, passed away on February 17, 2012, after a three-year battle with ALS.

Her obituary is listed on Oregonlive.com

The family requests donations be made to BIRDS (Bharati Integrated Rural Develepment Society) which brings medical services to rural India. Send checks to St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 9750 SW Terwilliger Blvd., Portland, OR 97219 with "BIRDS" and "Toni Shearer" written on the memo line.


 

Gary Hall, a custodian for more than 24 years with the Hillsboro School District, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Before retiring last year, Gary worked at Eastwood, McKinney and Minter Bridge Elementary Schools, making many friends of the students and staff.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Hillsboro Presbyterian Church, 172 NE 32nd Avenue, Hillsboro.

In honor of Gary’s memory (and sense of humor), the family is requesting that all wear blue jeans and their favorite T-shirts with funny pictures or sayings.

 

Cathy McIrvin, former teacher at McKinney Elementary (1975-2003), passed away at home on Saturday, December 3, after battling cancer for a year and a half.  A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 21, at Adams Chapel in River View Cemetery (0300 SW Taylors Ferry Road, Portland, OR 97219).

Cathy briefly taught in North Bend before moving to Hillsboro for the remainder of her 33-year teaching career.  Her dedication and devotion to her family and students was an inspiration to many, including her own children who are also teachers.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Oregon Food Bank or Kaiser Permanente Hospice Care.


 

Jana Kuest, a 6th grade teacher at Brookwood Elementary School, was in a car accident on Friday, November 11, 2011, and did not survive.

Jana had been an employee of the Hillsboro School District since August of 1999.  Her first assignment was as an LRC teacher at Century High School; she then moved to Reedville Elementary School as an ERC teacher in the 2003-04 school year.  The following year, Jana moved to Brookwood, where she has remained ever since.  There, she taught 2nd, 4th, and 6th grade.  Jana was also active in the Boy Scout organization.

The Kuest family invites you to a celebration of her life at the Hillsboro Presbyterian Church (172 NE 32nd Avenue, HIllsboro, OR 97124, 503-648-5660) on Saturday, November 19; the service will take place from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. and the reception will last until 5:00 p.m.

Our sincerest condolences to the Kuest family as they deal with this tragic loss.