Laurel Westerlund Tracy

Laurel Westerlund Tracy was born on May 24, 1926 to Alfred and Esther (Pumala) Westerlund. She passed away peacefully on March 14, 2016 at the age of 89. Laurel was a true Portlandian. Born at Emanuel Hospital, raised in Portland, and attended local schools until she graduated from Jefferson High School. She married George Kennison Tracy on March 18, 1951 and together they had two sons, Mark Stephen Tracy & Matthew Scott Tracy.

Laurel worked at Sears as an administrative secretary. It was there she was known to her boss as “Westie.” When she wasn’t working she enjoyed reading Christian novels, gardening, traveling and cooking.

One of her favorite books, written by Thyra Ferre Bjorn, was Papa’s Wife; A book about a Swedish woman and filled with many Scandinavian customs. Laurel & Ken loved to take Elderhostel trips, many of which were with friends Bill and Virginia Wechner. They traveled to Hawaii, Alaska, and Canada, as well as to the beautiful California vineyard areas.

Laurel once wrote in a book for her grandchildren: “She always enjoyed flowers but when her first house was purchased, there was a need of color in the yard.” She loved the rural tone of that first house, with its two old apple trees in the back yard. They lived there for 22 years.

She enjoyed cooking for her family, often trying new recipes, and was a wonderful hostess. She would rate the recipes in pencil in her cookbooks. She loved cookbooks and had quite a collection!

Throughout her life her faith was very important to her. She enjoyed Covenant Church as a teenager and young woman, taking part in the youth group and choir. As an adult she became a leader in Bible Study Fellowship enjoying the discipline of the group and always taking her role seriously.

Laurel truly loved her grandchildren and when they visited, she made sure to make special treats that each one liked. Patrick loved baked custard. Kenni loved anything lemon, and Elizabeth loved making homemade applesauce with her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Vivian Westerlund Larson and her husband George Kennison Tracy. Laurel is survived by her sons Mark (Martha) Tracy and Matthew (Kay) Tracy; her grandchildren Patrick Scott, Kennison Chadwick & Elizabeth Marie (Lizzie).

A celebration of life will be held at 1pm on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2420 Fairview Ave., Fairview, OR 97024.