Mary passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, March 25, 2017, in the presence of her children, Ben and Cory, following a lengthy illness. She was 70 years old.

Mary was born in 1946 to Dr. Aarne and Dorothy Lindgren and grew up in Portland with three brothers. She attended Washington High School and the University of Oregon, where she was active in student government and selected for several women’s honoraries. She was a member of Alpha Phi sorority and president of her chapter her senior year. A few weeks after arriving on the U of O campus her freshman year, Mary had a blind date with David Jubitz. A week after her graduation in 1968, they married. Their first several years together, B.C. (Before Children), were filled with adventures and shared with close friends: biking in the San Juan Islands, skiing at Mt. Bachelor, hiking in the Goat Rocks.

By the time their daughter, Cory, arrived in 1975, Mary had begun her lifelong career as an educator and children’s advocate. She was first an elementary school teacher, then an educational consultant traveling across western states and later the curriculum administrator for Portland Public Schools. But her last post proved to be her calling: In 1994, Mary was asked to take over leadership of a novel new nonprofit, Start Making a Reader Today, or SMART, whose goal is to bring reading literacy to K-2 children at risk of falling behind their peers. To Mary, the program’s purpose was clear: “We can either ensure the success of young people today or take care of their problems tomorrow.” Mary had a unique ability to inspire those around her: staff, school coordinators, volunteers and donors. Under her leadership, SMART flourished, growing from 36 schools to 252; it now serves more than 10,000 young readers statewide. In 2003, her success was recognized by the Portland Business Journal, which named Mary the woman executive of the year in the nonprofit sector. That same year the Portland chapter of the University of Oregon Alumni Association honored her with its Alumni Spotlight Award. A tireless leader, she retired in 2006 as SMART’s chief executive. Her legacy has continued to impact the lives of thousands of children as they’ve grown into successful adults.

Mary loved being outdoors, hiking, camping and roller skating. But her passion was skiing. Family and friends accompanying Mary on the slopes were usually left far behind as she flew down the mountain, turning only when required. Her skiing travels took her to Utah, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Austria and Switzerland.

Mary is survived by her children, Ben Jubitz and Cory Jubitz, and her brothers Thomas Lindgren, M.D., and John Lindgren, M.D.

She was preceded in death by her brother Robert Lindgren, M.D., and parents.

To make a gift in her memory, please send it to SMART, 101 SW Market St., Portland, OR 97201, writing “In memory of Mary Jubitz” in the memo section of the check.

A memorial service will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, April 23, 2017, at the Multnomah Athletic Club.

Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits