A resident of Portland, Mary Ellen 71, died in Portland Adventist Hospital, with her husband by her side. Her passing was due to interstitial lung disease resulting from a long-standing autoimmune disorder. Our hearts are broken but we pray she is at peace. Mary Ellen was born in Los Angeles County, CA and briefly lived in Manhattan Beach before her family moved to Fullerton. She graduated from Cornelia Connelly High School in Anaheim and received degrees in Art from both UCSB and ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena. To fund her passion for art, Mary Ellen first worked as a flight attendant for TWA and subsequently Western/Delta from 1982 to 2012, retiring for health reasons. She was a member of Blackfish Art Gallery in Portland for many years, having several successful shows where her representational oils and monoprints very ably captured the humanity of her subjects. In addition, she briefly showed her work in California and Seattle. Mary Ellen was greatly loved by many and will be acutely missed. She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Ron Kreger, sisters Adele Davies of Albuquerque, NM, and Clare Lindsay (Tim) of Kennebunkport, ME, her nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews and her two dogs. In addition, she leaves behind friends in the art community and many dearly close friends from her years with Delta. Mary Ellen was blessed with a large spirit and a wide welcoming smile which belied a wickedly good sense of humor, and she loved to laugh. She was preceded in death by her mother in 2015 with whom she was extremely close. Her ashes will be dispersed later at a private ceremony and life celebration in California. A donation may be made in her name to the Portland Art Museum, Dove Lewis Animal Hospital or a charity of the donor's choice.