Carleys' celebrate 60 years together

Ray and Marge celebrate 60 years

Margaret and Raymond Carley celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary earlier this month.

About 11 months after the United States entered World War II Ray left his job as a sheet metal worker with Lockheed in Los Angeles and moved to Eugene, Oregon. A romance with Marge (Margaret) led to marriage on August 13, 1942, at the Presbyterian parsonage in Eugene.

At the same time, Ray joined the Marines and spent 1943-45 island hopping from the Philippines to Guadalcanal and many other islands while war with Japan was raging.

After the war, Marge and Ray visited Sisters in 1947 and remember eating at Rosie's Cafe (now The Gallery Restaurant).

"Bad weather closed the pass and we actually stayed at Rosie's until we could leave for Eugene," said Marge.

"Sisters wasn't very big then," remembered Ray. "The Ski Inn was there, and I remember Mammie's Tavern (at the sight of the present Texaco gas station west of Sisters on Highway 20).

When asked how their marriage lasted this long, Ray said, "Margaret's patience." Marge just laughed.

Marge was born in Winchester, Idaho, and graduated from Salem High School. Ray was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and graduated from Eagle River High school in Wisconsin.

During his career in Eugene as a construction millwright, Ray has built many sawmills working for Industrial Machinery Erector.

Later, he taught welding at Lane Community College.

Marge worked at Meier & Frank department store as a sales person and moved up to head their linen and bath shop at their Eugene store.

Moving to Sisters in 1972, the Carleys have seen lots of changes over 30 years.

"We live in the best spot in Sisters," said Marge. " It's a quiet, wonderful area. Squaw Creek is right behind us... It's also a wonderful playground for the children."

"Gary Frazee (Sisters Public Works) has been a wonderful addition to the City. He has provided signs and places to park and made this a better area to live," she continued.

"Ray and Marge were very active members in the Sisters Snowmobile Club," said Neil Koch, former Snowmobile Club President and ex-Marine friend of the family.

The Carleys have two daughters, Donna, who lives in Redmond, and Judy, living in Eugene.