Obituaries: Flora L. Negus

Flora L. Negus of Pendleton died Monday June 11, 2007, at St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton. She was 90.

Mass of Christian burial was held Saturday, June 16, 2007, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in John Day. Interment followed at St. Andrew’s Cemetery in Canyon City.

Mrs. Negus was born on June 16, 1916, at Fort Rock to Ray and Mae Cook Thompson. She was raised on family farms in the John Day Valley and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1934. The next year she married Tom Negus in Baker City, and settled in the Mt. Vernon area where they raised their four children. For many years the Negus family operated the Mt. Vernon Hot Springs Guest Home, and later the Canyon Creek Guest Home in John Day. Mr. Negus served as Grant County Sheriff from 1964 to 1980. Mrs. Negus served as a home health aid for several years prior to her retirement.

She was a 60-year member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in John Day. For many years the couple enjoyed their cabin in Bear Valley. She had moved to Pendleton in 2002 to be near her daughters.

Mrs. Negus is survived by her sister, Polly Thomas, of John Day; son, Mike Negus, and his wife, Isabelle, of Honolulu, Hawaii; daughters, Pat McClintock and her husband, Gale; Terri Taber and her husband, Ed, both of Pendleton; Kathleen Negus, and her husband, Leroy Bennett, of Wallowa; eight grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren who reside in Oregon, Washington, California and Texas.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1983, by her parents, and a brother and two sisters.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Vernon High School Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Darlene Muzzy, 308 E. Main, John Day, OR 97845.

Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of arrangements.