On Saturday, February 25, 2024, Mae Gertrude Tibbett, 79, passed away peacefully at home in‬ ‭Baker City, Oregon, with her husband of 62 years by her side. Mae was born and raised in‬ ‭Eureka. She was the youngest of seven children born to Rudolph G. Santsche and‬ ‭May Matilda Ford Santsche. Both Mae’s parents passed before she was an adult so she was‬ ‭then raised by her oldest brother Rudolph (Rudy) Santsche and his wife Arte.‬ ‭

Mae received her high school diploma in 1962. While in high school, Mae worked at the‬ ‭McCullens Motel making beds for extra money and continued working there for several years.‬ ‭Mae met the love of her life when she was just 9 years old. She always knew that she would‬ ‭marry Delbert “Ray” Tibbett. After Ray was discharged from the United States Army at the end‬ ‭of the Vietnam War, he rekindled his friendship with Mae. They dated for six months. During‬ ‭this time, Ray drove back and forth every weekend from San Jose to Eureka to see Mae.‬ ‭Shortly thereafter, in 1963, they were married in Campbell, California.‬

‭After getting married they moved into their first apartment on Hilfiker Lane in Eureka, ‭where they settled down to begin their new lives together. Mae had her first born daughter,‬ ‭Angie Mae Tibbett, on December 8,1966. Two years later, they welcomed their second daughter‬ ‭Ageana Rae Tibbett Brett on December 9, 1968.‬

Mae attended Fredrick & Charles Beauty College in Eureka, and received her‬ ‭cosmetology license. She then went to work at Wildwood Beauty Boutique in Rio Dell as a‬ ‭hairdresser. Later, she bought the business from her dear lifelong friend Shirley Freitas. Mae‬ ‭sold the Boutique in the late 90’s, but continued to work for many years from her home providing‬ ‭services to many clients she had made over the years.‬

Mae was a great cook and loved to make homemade cinnamon candied popcorn balls and‬ ‭homemade rolls for Christmas. She was also known for her legendary deep fried Schnitz‬ ‭breakfast pastry. Mae loved all horror and sci-fi movies and went all out decorating for‬ ‭Halloween every year. She loved camping and swimming at all the local rivers and lakes. Mae‬ ‭and Ray bought a summer property in Ruth, Ca and Mae could be found there any chance she‬ ‭got. Mae also loved camping every 4th of July at the Orick beach with her family, brother,‬ ‭cousins, nieces and nephews. Many years of good times were had there catching surf fish and‬ ‭playing pranks on one another. Mae was a wonderful mother, sister, grandmother,‬ ‭great-grandmother and friend. Mae was very independent and loved reading romance novels,‬ ‭playing card games and Yahtzee.‬ ‭

Over the years she attended countless softball, basketball, volleyball events to show support.‬ ‭Mae enjoyed traveling with Ray in their big motorhome all around the states and especially liked‬ ‭stopping in Reno for a night or two on their way home. She loved to play her accordion for her‬ ‭children and family. She was a big collector of antique dolls, cookie jars and watches.‬‭

Mae is preceded in death by her parents Rudolph and May Santsche, brothers Rudolph‬ ‭Santsche, Ed Santsche, and sisters Margaret Rogers, Marjory Kellerer, and Evelyn James. She‬ ‭is survived by her husband Delbert Ray Tibbett, daughters Ageana Rae Brett and Angie Mae‬ ‭Tibbett, sister Eva Rainbolt, grandchildren Trent (Breaunna) Prigmore, Dillon J.R. Cope, Logan‬ ‭Basteyns, great-grandchildren Blake and Bryleigh Prigmore, as well as nieces, Loreen Farrell,‬ ‭Shelley Moore, and grand nieces Dr. Kelsea Breese, Kira Cosio, Katie Wells, Amanda Maciel,‬ ‭numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and family members. Mae’s private service was held‬ ‭at Gray’s West & Pioneer Company Chapel.

Mae will be laid to rest at Ocean View Cemetery in‬ ‭Eureka with her parents, siblings and numerous family members. Please join us for a‬ ‭Celebration of Life that will be held at the Fortuna Veterans Hall on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at‬ ‭1 p.m. located at the Veterans Hall in the Canteen, 1426 Main St, Fortuna.