Mary Kathryn Cutright

Mary Kathryn Cutright, 31, of La Grande, died July 2 following a short illness. A viewing will run from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday at the Faith Center, 10300 S. D St. in Island City. A celebration of life will follow at 1 p.m. at the church. A reception will follow.

Graveside services will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Forest View Cemetery, 1161 SW Pacific Ave. at Forest Grove. A reception will follow at 1410 SW Pacific Ave. in Forest Grove.

Mary was the first born of twins on Dec. 14, 1979, in La Grande. At three days old, she became ill with meningitis. The illness left her with multiple disabilities.

Mary graduated from La Grande High School in 2001. That summer she became one of the first medically fragile residents to live at New Day Enterprises. She moved into New Day's Pine Street home with four other residents. There, she received the care and support she needed to live her life to its fullest capacity.

Starting at 6 months old, teachers and specialists taught and refined communication skills for the deaf/blind to Mary. In return, Mary was able to influence the way these same skills were later taught to other children, her family says.

Mary, in her own quiet, loving, sweet way continued to be an ambassador and teacher all her life, her family says. Because of their work with Mary, people were encouraged to make improvements and search out new alternatives to help people with disabilities reach their fullest potential in life. Policies were created and changed along the way.

Mary enjoyed going to church at Faith Center with her parents and going home for visits. She loved chocolate, shopping, going to the beauty parlor, swimming, getting a massage and drinking iced coffees.

Mary is survived by her parents, Mervin and Glenda Brown Cutright of La Grande; twin brother, Eric Cutright and his wife, Tiana, of Happy Camp, Calif.; sister, Anna Cutright and her fiancé, Derek Hale, of Forest Grove; a niece; grandparents, Jean Cutright of La Grande, Barbara Scherr of Vancouver, Wash., and Glenn and Carmen Brown of Forest Grove; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to Uniting Together in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel 1508 Fourth St., La Grande, OR 97850.

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