Mary Graeff Obituary – The Statesman Journal

With great sadness, we share that Mary K. Graeff passed away on May 29th, 2025, at her home in Boise, ID, at the age of 83.

Mary grew up in Hermosa Beach, California, where she had fond memories of body surfing in the ocean and playing beach volleyball.

A vivacious, trailblazing woman who could do anything she set her mind to. Her adventurous spirit was shaped by life that took her across the globe Living in Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Greece, Spain, Hawaii, California, Oregon, Arizona and Idaho. She mountain biked Moab, UT, rafted the Rogue and North Fork rivers, and ran ultramarathons well into her 70s.

In her late 30’s Mary earned degrees in forestry and law enforcement from Southwestern Oregon Community. She defied expectations and traditional roles for women: slash-burning mountains, jackhammered concrete, and worked as a Park Ranger for the Oregon State Parks. She worked at Shore Acres Botanical Gardens and patrolled the beaches on the Oregon coast before moving to Salem, Oregon, where she became the Safety and Law Enforcement Coordinator for the state parks system.

Mary always had a big smile and was endlessly ready for challenges and adventures.

She is survived by her daughter, Natasha Bachurin, and her dogs, Awza, Lolo and Kooskia. Her husband and adventure partner, Todd Graeff, passed away in 2023. Mary will be sorely missed.