Mary Jo Welp, 76, passed away peacefully Feb. 3. She was surrounded by her husband, Jim, of 52 years, and her daughters, Amy Welp and Molly DeTuri. There will be a recitation of the rosary at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at St. Rose of Lima Church in Northeast Portland, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m.

Mary Jo was born May 3, 1945, in Silverton 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 Mount St. Helens. They fell in love and married the same year. After starting their family in Toledo, they moved to Portland. They found a community in St. Rose of Lima Parish and have been long time members of the Neocatechumenal Way, which has been a second family to them.

Mary Jo was artistic and crafty. A good seamstress, she 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.

The burial will be at St. Paul’s Catholic Cemetery in Silverton the same day at 3 p.m.