Mary Inez Franklin

Mary Inez Franklin, 88, of Portland, Oregon passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

Born July 14, 1938, in Seattle, Washington, Mary was a devoted wife and mother whose love showed itself in the everyday things: a full table, a decorated home, a song in the kitchen, and a warm batch of something fresh from the oven. She sacrificed much over the years to make sure her children had what they needed, and she raised seven of them with full devotion.

Mary was famous for her baking, and her cinnamon rolls were legendary. Every year she was requested to make them for her children's elementary school’s breakfast with Santa, and years of classmates and teachers came to know and love them. In later years, she would delight doctors and coworkers at the clinic where she worked with her baked goods. She adored the holidays and decorated her home and garden with joy and care. She loved to sing and add humor to many situations, and anyone who knew her remembers her filling a room with her spirit and joy.

When her husband, Nick, passed away in 1991, she faced the challenge of learning to do everything on her own. She met it with determination, working hard to become the successful, independent woman her family admired. She earned her college degree in her 40s and built a career that she loved as a medical assistant, caring for patients, from newborns to elderly patients with the same warmth and good humor she brought to everything else.

For more than ten years, Mary lived with dementia. Even through that long journey, her charm and sense of humor never left her. She kept staff and fellow residents at her memory care facility smiling, and her family treasured every laugh.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Nick F. Franklin, and two children, Kelly and Jeff. She is survived by her five children: Joanie, Marty, David, Jay, and Danny and their spouses; as well as her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A private burial and dedication with family will take place at Lincoln Memorial Park in Portland, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Alzheimer's Association in her memory.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the caregivers at Farmington Square Memory Care, Housecall Providers, Pinnacle Hospice Care and other loving supporters: Shemaya, Karen and Harriet for their compassion and care.