Mariana Arline Garfield

Mariana A. Garfield passed away on March 1, 2021 in Salem, Oregon at age, 94. Mariana was born on October 8, 1926 in Springfield, Massachusetts to Timothy F. and Bessie R. (Hirsch) Sweetman. She grew up on their family farm, continuing to work there after graduating from high school.    During WW II, she began a pen pal  relationship with a soldier, Charles Garfield.  After the end of the war, Charles asked Mariana to marry him.  She took the train from Massachusetts to Bend, Oregon, where they would marry on February 10, 1946.  The newlyweds settled in Prineville.  After closure of some lumber mills in Prineville in 1961, the family decided to return to Massachusetts to help on the family farm.  However, four feet of snow on Thanksgiving 1961 proved more than they bargained for so they returned to Prineville in 1962 when the school year ended.   After Charles suffered a stroke and could no longer work, Mariana began working at Coin Millworks, a door manufacturing company, and continued to work there until her retirement. In 1998 she and Charles moved to Salem, Oregon where they could be closer to their family.   After 62 years of marriage, they were separated when Charles passed away on May 21, 2008.  For the last five years, Mariana lived at Tierra Rose in Salem, Oregon. Mariana enjoyed playing pinochle, putting together jigsaw puzzles and reading novels, especially those by Danielle Steel. She will be greatly missed by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles, and two brothers, Paul Sweetman and Timothy Sweetman, Jr.  Mariana is survived by her children, Robert (Beverly) Garfield, Judy (Michael) Oxborrow, Lois (Dennis) Prewitt, Glenn (Ellen) Garfield, Anita Epps; a brother, Lawrence Sweetman; 11 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.  A private inurnment will take place at Willamette National Cemetery at a future date.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Bristol Hospice. Weddle Funeral of Stayton, OR has been entrusted with arrangements.