Rebecca Sue LaGrow

Rebecca Sue LaGrow, a Salem resident for the last nine years, passed away Thanksgiving morning, November 25, 2010. She was 89. She was born in Alva, Oklahoma on June 9, 1921. At the age of two she moved to Glendale, California with her parents Russel and Marriah Blakey and her baby sister, Pamela. Sue is a 1939 graduate of Glendale High School. She attended Glendale Community College.

Sue married Wing Russell LaGrow Jr. in 1941. They had three children; Dixie, Phillip, and Beth. Russ served overseas during WWII separating the couple from 1943 to 1945 when Dixie was a baby. When Russ died of cancer in 1963, Sue went to work for Glendale Federal Savings in new accounts. She raised her family, served in the PTA, worked until her retirement in 1986, remained active at La Crescenta Baptist Church in California and lived in her own home in Glendale until 2001. That year she moved to Salem and joined the Capital Manor Retirement Community. There, she made new friends, enjoyed their companionship, took up new interests and remained connected to her family in Oregon and California.

Sue was a member of Salem First Baptist Church and a 52 year member of P.E.O., having transferred her 43 year Glendale affiliation to Salem’s chapter CQ promptly after arrive in Salem. She enjoyed reading, playing SkipBo, watching game shows, and shopping for clothes or anything else that occupied space in a fine retail establishment…and shopping…and shopping!

She was predeceased by her husband, Russell, daughter, Dixie Hughes, brother, Fisher Blakey, sister, Pamela Nelson, brother-in-law Paul Nelson and great-grandson, Samuel. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Phil and Christine LaGrow of Chico, California, and daughter and son-in-law, Beth and David Kenagy of Salem, Oregon, nine grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and sisters-in-law, Joanne Blakey, Claire Lamb, and Shirley Huber.

A family gathering to remember Sue’s life and God’s care for her is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Union Gospel Mission, P.O. Box 431, Salem, OR 97308 or the Capital Manor Endowment Fund 1955 Dallas Hwy. N.W. Salem, OR 97304.