Mrs. Mary M. Hester, 78, or Clarkston, pioneer Dayton resident, died at St. Joseph's hospital Friday at 1:25 a.m. following a long illness.

Funeral services were held from the Merchant chapel at Clarkston, Monday at 10 a.m., with the Rev. David Brown officiating and commital services were held at the Dayton cemetery at noon. Casket bearers were G.F. Erbes, R.R. Cahill, W.A. Frary, and R.M. Sturdevant.

Mary May, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. May was born at Roseburg, Oregon March 24, 1868. With her parents she went to Rock Creek in Whitman county in 1876 and came here with them in 1878. The Mays tok up a homestead which they farmed for a time, and the late Mr. May later purchased the Columbia Chronicle which he subsequently sold to the late R.E. Peabody.

Mary May was married to the late Robert Hester in 1893 and continued to live here until after her children were grown. She took up nursing in early life, and nursed in private homes long before there was a hospital in the community. When the first Brining hospital was opened in 1915 Mrs. Hester became superintendent of the institution and assoicated with her was Miss Stella Alexander, formerly a deaconess of the Methodist church. Miss Alexander who had been making her home with the Hester family prior to their hospital association, moved to Clarkston with Mrs. Hester, and their close friendship continued over a period of 38 years.

Mrs. Hester was a graduate of the Dayton high school, a member of the Dayton Baptist church, and an early member of Rainbow chapter, Eastern Star. She was a fortress of strength to her family and to her many friends in time of sickness or sorrow. Although she had not lived here in many years, her passing was deeply felt by those who knew her in early days.

Surviving are a son, Walton Hester, Clarkston; a sister, Mrs. Mattie Blowers, Longview, Wash.; a brother, Ed May, Walla Walla; a grandson, Maurice Terpening, Jr. who is now in service in the South Pacific, two great grandchildren, and a number of nephews and nieces. Her only daugher, Mrs. Hester May Hester Terpening, died in 1928, and she reared her daughter's two young sons, one of whom, Pat Terpening, was killed in an airplane crash during World War II.