Charysse Kristine Hesse

July 22, 1977—October 13, 2014

Charysse Hesse, 37, of Jefferson died Monday at Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House.  Born in Portland to Michael and Kristina (McAlmond) Chowning, Charysse was raised in Bend and graduated from Bend High School in 1995.  She attended Linfield College for two years and then graduated from George Fox University in 1999 with a degree in business marketing.

Volleyball was a huge part of Charysse’s life, and she excelled in high school before taking her talents first to Linfield, and then to George Fox where she played on the National Championships qualifying team.

She married Marvin Hesse of Hesse and Sons Dairy on March 11, 2000 in Salem and they made their home in Jefferson.  Charysse worked for Rod McLellan Co. in Independence in the accounting department, which was purchased by Scotts Lawncare.  She was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2004 and about a year later became a full time homemaker and cancer fighter.  She was a true cancer fighter and helped many othersthrough her blog (www.charyssehesse.net), as well as privately through email as a resource and inspiration.

Charysse was highly involved with the Salem First Church of the Nazarene on Market Street in Salem, particularly with the choir.  She enjoyed working in her yard and volunteering at Crosshill Christian School where her children attend.

Survivors include her husband Marvin of Jefferson; sons Tyler (11) and Trenton (8) of Jefferson; parents Michael and Kristina Chowning of Nashville, TN; brother Kyle Chowning of Nashville; grandmother Shirley Walters of Bend; and great grandmother Corine King of Corona, CA.

A memorial service will be at 2:30pm Sunday at the Salem FirstChurch of the Nazarene on Market Street in Salem.  Private interment will be at Jefferson Cemetery.  Contributions may be made to Crosshill Christian School here.

Online condolences for the family may be posted below.