Nancy Josephine Rhein

Nancy Josephine McGowan Rhein, 87, a long time resident of the Hillsboro community passed away on October 8, 2024 at Maryville Nursing Home in Beaverton surrounded by her family.
Nancy was born on February 3, 1937 in Helena, MT. She was the oldest of eight children born to William and Ruby (Craig) McGowan. She was raised in Butte, MT until the age of fifteen when Nancy and her family moved to Hillsboro. She attended St Mary of the Valley School and graduated with the Class of 1955.
She met her future husband, Jerry Rhein, while at a Family reunion. Nancy was fifteen and Jerry was "several" years older. They soon became great friends and began dating when Nancy turned 18 years old. They married on April 7, 1956 at St. Matthew Catholic Church and had four children, Tom, Dan, Lisa and Steve. They started their lives together in Arizona but soon moved to McMinnville. In 1964 they moved to their home of 52 years in Hillsboro.
Nancy was a loving mother and devoted wife to her family; she was also the secretary for St Matthew Catholic Grade School for over fifteen years. She enjoyed volunteering at her parish including the Altar Society, St Vincent de Paul Food Bank, Birth Right and Adoration coordinator. She loved quality time with her family, especially her time with her mother and sisters. She was a gardener; she loved spending time with her grandchildren, enjoyed a good joke and always was ready with one of her well-loved one-liner comments. Most days she was either "fair to midland" or "colder than a mother in laws kiss".  She liked to keep in touch with all her friends over a cup of tea, on the phone or through writing letters; she liked mystery novels, movies and TV shows.
Nancy is preceded in death by her loving husband, Jerry, her son, Tom Rhein, a sister, Sharon Vandehey, and her parents.
She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Dan and Tansy Rhein of Portland, Lisa and Dave Snyder of Milwaukie, Steve and Tania Rhein of Aloha, six siblings, Pat McGowan, Jim McGowan, Marion McGowan, Judy Lee, Kathy Rost and Bill McGowan. Also surviving are her five grandchildren, Vanessa, David, Jonathan, Joshua and Alexander and two great grandchildren, D.J. and Brantley