Mary S. Beggs, 92, of Astoria, died on her birthday May 15, 2011, at Clatsop Care Center.

She was born on May 15, 1919, in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Edwin and Pearl Slocum. She was raised in Iowa and California and was a graduate of Van Nuys High School. She attended Valley College and then continued her education at the school of nursing at Mercy Hospital in San Diego, Calif.

On November 29, 1941, she was married to William Woodrow Beggs in Yuma, Ariz.

She was a homemaker and raised five of her own children, as well as giving a wonderful start to more than 25 foster infants.

She was widowed at a very early age, when her husband preceded her in death on July 26, 1960.

She came to Astoria from Van Nuys, Calif., 32 years age and fell in love with the community and the Columbia River. She managed the Owens-Adair building and also did volunteer work at Columbia Memorial Hospital.

She traveled extensively and loved golf, bowling, and gardening, but her greatest joy was spending time with her family

She is survived by a son, Wm. Michael Beggs and his wife, Freda of Woodstock, Ga.;

three daughters: Margery Wildey and her husband, Gary of Windsor, Conn., Joanne LaLone and her husband Michael of Sherman Oaks, Calif., Patricia Levoy and her husband, Guy Sydnam, of Astoria, Ore.; a brother, John William Slocum, of Salt Lake City, Utah; 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Janice Eileen Brooks.

Private family services will be at a later date, with burial in Westminister, Calif.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to Clatsop Care Center, 646 16th Street, Astoria, OR 97103.

Ocean View Cremation & Burial Service is in charge of arrangements.