BEND – Former Umatilla County resident Mary L. Hummell Groves, 69, of Bend died Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, in Bend. A funeral mass was held Thursday, Feb. 5 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Sisters. A graveside service followed in the All Saints Memorial Garden adjacent to the church. A celebration of life reception will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Hall in Pendleton. Family and friends are all welcome.

Mrs. Groves was born March 6, 1939, to Ellis and Marie Hummell in Pendleton. She graduated from Pendleton High School in 1957 and later received her beautician’s license. She was also trained as a commercial artist. In 1958 she married Lewis Richter in Pendleton; they later divorced.

In 1990 she married Richard Groves in Portland. For 25 years she worked as a religious educator; many of those years were at St. Mary’s Church in Pendleton. She also worked at Hospice of Bend-LaPine as bereavement director and educator. Together with her husband Richard, she created many national video education programs based on spirituality and healing. The Groves founded the Sacred Art of Living Center, a nonprofit education and retreat center in Bend.

Mrs. Groves is survived by her husband, Richard Groves of Bend; sons Matthew Richter of Pendleton, Joseph Richter of Bend and Nick Richter of Terrebonne; brother Robert Hummell of Hermiston; and four grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Molly, and her parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Art of Living Center, P.O. Box 8720, Bend, OR 97708.