Published in The Oregonian on Jan. 9, 2011:
Owen, Zerita 'Zee' Joyce (Mackey) - age 86.
11/06/1924 12/19/2010
Following a valiant four-year battle with cancer, Zerita "Zee" Owen passed away peacefully in her sleep with her loving husband, Jay, at her side. Her strength, courage and positive outlook throughout her struggle were an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
Zee was born in Portland and grew up in Gresham.
After graduating from Gresham High School in 1942, she worked for the telephone company. During World War II, she worked the switchboards on both V-E Day and V-J Day. She was also selected to be one of the operators sent to San Francisco to work during the writing of the United Nations Charter in 1945.
Her life got more exciting in 1946, when Zee met the love of her life, Jay Owen. It was truly destiny when their eyes met across a crowded dance floor. They married in 1947.
Later, in the 50s, Zerita was one of the first Tupperware dealers and then managers in Portland.
Community involvement was always an important part of Zee's life. The following is just a short list of her many volunteer activities over the years: president of the Jaycettes 1953-54, PTA president 1958-60, United Way neighborhood chairman 1967, AFS host family and chapter president 1966-67, YWCA board of directors, Cub Scout den mother, Blue Bird leader, Y-Teen leader, 1st secretary of the board for Snow CAP, SOAR Advisory Council 1994-95, managing editor Summerplace Homeowners Newsletter 1988-2005, and, most recently, Portland International Airport VIP 1997-2007. She also served as a deacon and a ruling elder in her church.
Zee's life long dream of being a teacher was realized in 1983, when she trained to be a tutor for Oregon Literacy. She advanced to being a tutor trainer and then, in 1988, she was named a senior tutor trainer. 1988 was also the year that Zerita was asked to accompany her learner to Washington, D.C., to attend the National Literacy Honors. At the reception, they were thrilled to meet then President-elect George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara. In 1993, Zee helped form the Portland Literacy Council and was their secretary until 1995.
Zee enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, and golf. For many years, she knitted sweaters for the Guideposts Knit for Kids program.
Zerita is survived by her husband of 63 years, Jay; daughters, Laurie Petrie and Suzy Armstrong; sons, David, John, and Larry Owen; and grandchildren, Aurora, Miranda, and Leslie.
A celebration of Zee's life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, in Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1740 S.E. 139th Ave., Portland, OR 97233.
Remembrances, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Savage Memorial Church or Heifer International.
Owen, Zerita 'Zee' Joyce (Mackey) - age 86.
11/06/1924 12/19/2010
Following a valiant four-year battle with cancer, Zerita "Zee" Owen passed away peacefully in her sleep with her loving husband, Jay, at her side. Her strength, courage and positive outlook throughout her struggle were an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
Zee was born in Portland and grew up in Gresham.
After graduating from Gresham High School in 1942, she worked for the telephone company. During World War II, she worked the switchboards on both V-E Day and V-J Day. She was also selected to be one of the operators sent to San Francisco to work during the writing of the United Nations Charter in 1945.
Her life got more exciting in 1946, when Zee met the love of her life, Jay Owen. It was truly destiny when their eyes met across a crowded dance floor. They married in 1947.
Later, in the 50s, Zerita was one of the first Tupperware dealers and then managers in Portland.
Community involvement was always an important part of Zee's life. The following is just a short list of her many volunteer activities over the years: president of the Jaycettes 1953-54, PTA president 1958-60, United Way neighborhood chairman 1967, AFS host family and chapter president 1966-67, YWCA board of directors, Cub Scout den mother, Blue Bird leader, Y-Teen leader, 1st secretary of the board for Snow CAP, SOAR Advisory Council 1994-95, managing editor Summerplace Homeowners Newsletter 1988-2005, and, most recently, Portland International Airport VIP 1997-2007. She also served as a deacon and a ruling elder in her church.
Zee's life long dream of being a teacher was realized in 1983, when she trained to be a tutor for Oregon Literacy. She advanced to being a tutor trainer and then, in 1988, she was named a senior tutor trainer. 1988 was also the year that Zerita was asked to accompany her learner to Washington, D.C., to attend the National Literacy Honors. At the reception, they were thrilled to meet then President-elect George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara. In 1993, Zee helped form the Portland Literacy Council and was their secretary until 1995.
Zee enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, and golf. For many years, she knitted sweaters for the Guideposts Knit for Kids program.
Zerita is survived by her husband of 63 years, Jay; daughters, Laurie Petrie and Suzy Armstrong; sons, David, John, and Larry Owen; and grandchildren, Aurora, Miranda, and Leslie.
A celebration of Zee's life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, in Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1740 S.E. 139th Ave., Portland, OR 97233.
Remembrances, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Savage Memorial Church or Heifer International.
Published in The Oregonian on Jan. 9, 2011:
Owen, Zerita 'Zee' Joyce (Mackey) - age 86.
11/06/1924 12/19/2010
Following a valiant four-year battle with cancer, Zerita "Zee" Owen passed away peacefully in her sleep with her loving husband, Jay, at her side. Her strength, courage and positive outlook throughout her struggle were an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
Zee was born in Portland and grew up in Gresham.
After graduating from Gresham High School in 1942, she worked for the telephone company. During World War II, she worked the switchboards on both V-E Day and V-J Day. She was also selected to be one of the operators sent to San Francisco to work during the writing of the United Nations Charter in 1945.
Her life got more exciting in 1946, when Zee met the love of her life, Jay Owen. It was truly destiny when their eyes met across a crowded dance floor. They married in 1947.
Later, in the 50s, Zerita was one of the first Tupperware dealers and then managers in Portland.
Community involvement was always an important part of Zee's life. The following is just a short list of her many volunteer activities over the years: president of the Jaycettes 1953-54, PTA president 1958-60, United Way neighborhood chairman 1967, AFS host family and chapter president 1966-67, YWCA board of directors, Cub Scout den mother, Blue Bird leader, Y-Teen leader, 1st secretary of the board for Snow CAP, SOAR Advisory Council 1994-95, managing editor Summerplace Homeowners Newsletter 1988-2005, and, most recently, Portland International Airport VIP 1997-2007. She also served as a deacon and a ruling elder in her church.
Zee's life long dream of being a teacher was realized in 1983, when she trained to be a tutor for Oregon Literacy. She advanced to being a tutor trainer and then, in 1988, she was named a senior tutor trainer. 1988 was also the year that Zerita was asked to accompany her learner to Washington, D.C., to attend the National Literacy Honors. At the reception, they were thrilled to meet then President-elect George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara. In 1993, Zee helped form the Portland Literacy Council and was their secretary until 1995.
Zee enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, and golf. For many years, she knitted sweaters for the Guideposts Knit for Kids program.
Zerita is survived by her husband of 63 years, Jay; daughters, Laurie Petrie and Suzy Armstrong; sons, David, John, and Larry Owen; and grandchildren, Aurora, Miranda, and Leslie.
A celebration of Zee's life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, in Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1740 S.E. 139th Ave., Portland, OR 97233.
Remembrances, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Savage Memorial Church or Heifer International.
Owen, Zerita 'Zee' Joyce (Mackey) - age 86.
11/06/1924 12/19/2010
Following a valiant four-year battle with cancer, Zerita "Zee" Owen passed away peacefully in her sleep with her loving husband, Jay, at her side. Her strength, courage and positive outlook throughout her struggle were an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
Zee was born in Portland and grew up in Gresham.
After graduating from Gresham High School in 1942, she worked for the telephone company. During World War II, she worked the switchboards on both V-E Day and V-J Day. She was also selected to be one of the operators sent to San Francisco to work during the writing of the United Nations Charter in 1945.
Her life got more exciting in 1946, when Zee met the love of her life, Jay Owen. It was truly destiny when their eyes met across a crowded dance floor. They married in 1947.
Later, in the 50s, Zerita was one of the first Tupperware dealers and then managers in Portland.
Community involvement was always an important part of Zee's life. The following is just a short list of her many volunteer activities over the years: president of the Jaycettes 1953-54, PTA president 1958-60, United Way neighborhood chairman 1967, AFS host family and chapter president 1966-67, YWCA board of directors, Cub Scout den mother, Blue Bird leader, Y-Teen leader, 1st secretary of the board for Snow CAP, SOAR Advisory Council 1994-95, managing editor Summerplace Homeowners Newsletter 1988-2005, and, most recently, Portland International Airport VIP 1997-2007. She also served as a deacon and a ruling elder in her church.
Zee's life long dream of being a teacher was realized in 1983, when she trained to be a tutor for Oregon Literacy. She advanced to being a tutor trainer and then, in 1988, she was named a senior tutor trainer. 1988 was also the year that Zerita was asked to accompany her learner to Washington, D.C., to attend the National Literacy Honors. At the reception, they were thrilled to meet then President-elect George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara. In 1993, Zee helped form the Portland Literacy Council and was their secretary until 1995.
Zee enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, and golf. For many years, she knitted sweaters for the Guideposts Knit for Kids program.
Zerita is survived by her husband of 63 years, Jay; daughters, Laurie Petrie and Suzy Armstrong; sons, David, John, and Larry Owen; and grandchildren, Aurora, Miranda, and Leslie.
A celebration of Zee's life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, in Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1740 S.E. 139th Ave., Portland, OR 97233.
Remembrances, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Savage Memorial Church or Heifer International.
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