Lois Marie McNally

Lois Marie McNally (née Olson), age 90, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2025, in Lake Oswego, Oregon. A lifelong Oregonian, Lois was born on October 31, 1934, in Portland to Louis and Violet Olson.

Lois grew up in northwest Portland and attended Chapman Elementary School and Lincoln High School. She continued her education at Portland State University and later earned a degree in Physical Education from the University of Oregon in Eugene. With a passion for health and movement, she began her professional life as a P.E. teacher at Beaverton High School before dedicating herself fully to raising her family.

Knowing one another since childhood, Lois shared 68 years of marriage with her beloved husband Jack (John) McNally. Together they raised five children—Mike, Patty, Kathleen, Pete, and Colleen— and built a life rooted in love, faith, and community. Lois also cherished her extended family, including eleven nieces and nephews.

Her Catholic faith was central to her life. She was an active member of St. Thomas More and St. Mary's Cathedral parishes in Portland before moving to Mary's Woods in Lake Oswego later in life.

Lois was known for her boundless energy and zest for life. She had a deep love for gardening, often tending to vibrant flowers that reflected her joyful spirit. Nature brought her peace and purpose; she found beauty in the simplest things—a blooming rose, a quiet trail, or a heartfelt conversation.

Despite being diagnosed with macular degeneration as a young adult and becoming legally blind in her 40s, Lois didn't let vision loss define or limit her. She mastered public transportation and walked countless miles through her neighborhoods in southwest and northwest Portland and Lake Oswego. Her resilience was matched only by her warmth—she loved talking with friends old and new, always eager to share stories or lend an ear.

Volunteering was another cornerstone of Lois’s life. Whether through church activities or community service, she gave generously of her time and spirit. Her commitment to staying active— physically, socially, and spiritually—was evident throughout every chapter of her life.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents Louis and Violet Olson and her brother Robert (Bob) Olson.

Lois’s legacy lives on through the family she nurtured, the friendships (and plants) she cultivated, and the countless lives she touched with kindness and grace. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her.

A Memorial Service and Mass will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the chapel at Mary's Woods, 17400 Holy Names Drive, Lake Oswego. Please wear bright colors, florals or patterns to celebrate Lois. The service will be followed by a light reception in Mary's Woods Cascadia Hall.

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