OBITUARY

Irene M. Stephens

27 September, 1928 – 8 January, 2021
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Irene M. Stephens

Irene Stephens was a woman of many talents. She and her husband Gail both worked for the City of Portland for most of their careers. They raised 5 daughters to be creative, caring, assertive, independent women.

What most people don't see is the woman who taught us how to be successful in this world and what it took to get where she did. They don't see the high school student that was so smart that her teachers had to convince her parents that she needed to go to college, even if she was “ just a girl”. They didn't see the jobs she couldn't have because she might have to stay home and take care of a sick child. "How can you be a good mother when you work outside the home!"

Most people didn't know that she broke the glass ceiling when she was the first woman ever allowed to work in the auditor’s office for the City of Portland. She had a tiny space in the attic of city hall. No window, no air conditioning, and barely heat in the winter. As she rose within the ranks of the accounting and budget office she worked with some of Portland's finest politicians. She negotiated contracts, balanced budgets and had no problem telling the mayor or city council members “no”. In her last years with the city she worked as second in command in the budget office.

By the time she retired, most of her daughters were married and several of her 9 grandchildren had arrived. Kids, grandkids and even the great grands were regular visitors. She loved them all. She took quilting classes with us and began an adventure that continued until just days ago. There were days when there were 3 generations, sitting behind their sewing machines, creating quilts and more. It was a sight to behold.

Irene slipped peacefully away on January 8th. Her heart was just too tired to go on. She leaves behind a legacy of love. Love for her family, a love of sewing that infected us all and the love of those who were lucky enough to know her. She is survived by her daughters, Nancy Goldsworthy in Portland, Robin Lock and her husband Allen in Gresham, Maureen Stephens and her Husband Kevin Born in Olympia Washington and Amy Maddox and her husband Hoyt in American Canyon California, 9 grand children and 9 great grandchildren.

She will be missed so much here on earth, but she is with dad and our sister Sue and is smiling down on all of us.

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Irene M. Stephens

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FROM THE FAMILY

Ann, Henry, Don, and Irene at their home in Camas, WA

FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY

Mom and Don ( far left) in the water

FROM THE FAMILY

Mom and Don at the old house in Camas

FROM THE FAMILY

Irene

FROM THE FAMILY

Irene (photo credit Gail Stephens)

FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY

Irene and Gail dressed for a college formal at Washington State University

FROM THE FAMILY

Gail and Irene on their wedding day.

FROM THE FAMILY

Ann, Henry, Don, and Irene at their home in Camas, WA

FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY

Mom and Don ( far left) in the water

FROM THE FAMILY

Mom and Don at the old house in Camas

FROM THE FAMILY

Irene

FROM THE FAMILY

Irene (photo credit Gail Stephens)

FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY

Irene and Gail dressed for a college formal at Washington State University

FROM THE FAMILY

Gail and Irene on their wedding day.