Mary Ellen Platz
Oct. 4, 1922 - June 7, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 10:11 AM PDT
New Plymouth
Mary Ellen McCabe Platz, aka “Spike” or “Mama Bear,” 85, New Plymouth, passed away Saturday, June 7, 2008, in Boise with her family by her side. A visitation for family and friends will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Fruitland, with Vigil services at 7 p.m. Mass of a Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church with Fr. Calvin Blankinship as celebrant. Interment will follow at Park View Cemetery, New Plymouth. Services and arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, New Plymouth. Condolences may be made to the family at
www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.
Mary was born in Baker City, Ore., on Oct. 4, 1922, to Bertha and Peter McCabe. Mary had seven brothers and one sister, and she was the oldest daughter. She was raised in Unity, Ore., Payette and Fruitland. Mary attended school in Fruitland, and she worked at Holy Rosary hospital and helped on her parents’ ranch in Whitney Bottom.
Mary married Leonard Platz on Nov. 19, 1949, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, and they farmed and raised their family in the New Plymouth area. They had three children, Paul, Clara and Theresa. She was a loving and fun mother, grandma and great-grandma.
Mary had a heart of gold, never knew a stranger and always helped those in need. Leonard suffered quite a few strokes, and Mary took loving care of him at home until the very end of his life in 1996.
A few years later, Mary moved to the New Plymouth Senior Citizen Apartments where she was the “life of the party.” She was a very devout Catholic all of her life, and she always thought that everyone else should be also. She was president of the Catholic Women’s League at St. Aloysius Catholic Church and participated in many church activities. She was also a member of the Rest Awhile Club and the Royal Neighbors of America.
As Mary’s dementia progressed, she spent her last year and a half at Ashley Manor Elgin in Boise, where she was loved and cared for and fondly known as “Mama Bear.”
Mary is survived by her son, Paul (Marsha) Platz; daughters, Clara (Pat) Flynn and Theresa (Phil) Carroll; 11 grandchildren, Paula Leppert, Keisha Jamison, Luke, Jake, Amanda and Megan Platz, Jamie and Tim Flynn, Chelsey Wikman, Stephanie and Tawnya Carroll; six great-granddaughters, Shawnee, Cherokee and Lakota Leppert, Matae and Audrey Jamison and Keely Wikman; brothers, Pete (Bev) and Paul McCabe; sister, Judy Owens; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers; husband, Leonard; and a grandson, Josh Carroll.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks for the loving care that Mom received at Ashley Manor and to Care First Hospice for the gentle care during her final days.
Irish blessing:
“May the sun always shine on your windowpane,
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain,
May the hand of a friend always be near you,
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.”
Thanks, Mom, for being such a special little Irish lady. You will always be in our hearts.
Memorials may be made to the New Plymouth Senior Center, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette ID 83661.
