Mary Jo Welp, age 76, passed away peacefully February 3. She was surrounded by her husband Jim of 52 years, and her daughters Amy Welp and Molly DeTuri.

Mary Jo was born May 3, 1945 in Silverton Oregon to Milton and Helen (Fisher) Knauf, the third of four daughters. Her surviving sisters are Dona Herr and Helene Knauf. She was preceded in death by sister Darlene Maxwell.

Mary Jo met her husband Jim on a hiking trip to Mt. St. Helens. They fell in love and married the same year. After starting their family in Toledo, Oregon they moved to Portland where they remained. They found a community in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, and have been long time members of the Neocatechumenal Way, which has been a second family to them.

Mary Jo was artistic and crafty. She was a good seamstress and enjoyed making clothes for her daughters (and herself) when they were younger. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting for family and friends, and would also make hats for cancer patients.

She loved the beach, Christmas, her sisters, traveling, her husband Jim, her daughter Amy (Dennis), her daughter Molly (Vince), and her grandsons Matthew and Stephen. She loved to enjoy her fireplace and good ol' beach fires, often with a Tab or Diet Coke in hand.

Memorial services will be at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon. The Rosary will be recited at 10:30 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. The burial will be at St. Paul's Catholic Cemetary in Silverton, Oregon at 3:00 PM