Nancy L. (Smith) Lorenz

She was born on Feb 25, 1931 to parents Robert and Ruth Smith. She grew up in SE Portland and attended Commerce High School (now known as Cleveland H.S.). She married Delmar Lieb in 1948. They had 5 children and divorced in 1970. She later married Donald Lorenz and he passed away in1988.

She started her career as a bartender extraordinaire in 1958 at the Meadows tavern in Portland where she worked for 12 years. After that she tended bar at various Salem and Dallas, OR bars including Videl's, MaGoo's, Towers and the Ponderosa.

She was a true trendsetter starting in 1958 when she began dying her hair Champagne Pink for New Years. It was not the in thing to have pink hair back then.

Nancy always tried to "look on the sunny side" and had a smile and quick wit that was appreciated by her family and friends. Above all she enjoyed spending time with her family. She never missed a 4th of July gathering at Steve and Maggie's in over 20 yrs. She was very proud of her son Jon and his guitar playing and the fact that he had a collection of over 40 guitars. She shared a love of poetry with her daughter, Cynthia and proud of the fact Cynthia was her only child to graduate from college. Susan made her a grandmother at 34 years of age which she soon embraced, being the loving and supportive mother she was. The grandchildren remember spending time at the beach with her, overnight visits, trips to Seattle, feeding the ducks and watching squirrels from the roof top of her apartment in Salem, playing cribbage with her, going to the State Fair, visiting the Merry-Go-round and Paddle boat in Salem. She had a traditions of sending $2 Bill's to the grandchildren on their birthdays. For their graduations she gave them a book called "101 Famous Poems." Her very favorite poem being "House by the Side of the Road."

She was always willing to lend a hand to her family and friends by volunteering herself for babysitting, laundry(mostly for Susan & Cynthia), driving to appointments and various activities. She also volunteered at her cribbage club, read to her blind friend, she volunteered at a domestic violence shelter in Portland, always stepping up to help wherever needed. She had a giving heart for the homeless and never passed up an opportunity to hand out a few dollars to those in need.

Her greatest sorrow came in November 1995 when her youngest daughter Carolyn was murdered at age 34. It was after Carolyn's death that she became a member of The Portland chapter of Parents of Murdered Children (PMOC). Tragedy struck again when her granddaughter April Hall was murdered in July 2005 at the age of 30. Both Carolyn and April's names are on the POMC memorial wall for victims of homicide located in Mountain View cemetery in Oregon City. Throughout these sad times she remained a source of strength and support to her family.

One of her life long goals was to attain Grandmaster status in the American Cribbage Club Association, which she was thrilled to accomplish. She belonged to various cribage club and won many awards and made many friends throughout the years. She earned the nickname 5 -10 Lorenz, by placing bets on her cribbage skills. It was truly her passion.

Another great achievement in her life was to seek recovery November 5, 1985. She maintained her sobriety for over 35 years. Always leading her family by example, showing great strength and courage.

Throughout her life she has had many Guardian Angel's first and foremost her son Steve and his wife Maggie who became the ones to manage her day to day needs once she was unable to do so. Steve loving visited her most days often bringing her favorite food a McGriddle. COVID-19 made it challenging to visit but Steve always found ways even if it meant visiting from outside through the window. He became a Superstar at the Meadows Courtyard where she lived the last 3 yrs. We are forever grateful to him and all he did. Maggie is a true hero to deal with all the in's and out's of mountains of paperwork and "the Bureaucracy." Saying thank you isn't enough.

Other true guardian Angels include Pete and Flynn Case, Her forever friends Bobbie and Marty Martinez, cousin Patsy, her cribbage family and Tony and Marla.

She will be forever loved and missed by all who knew her.

She Is survived by her children Susan Sheppard, Steve (Maggie) Lieb, Cynthia (Pete) Rose, Jon (Patty) Lieb. Grandchildren Dionne, Jeffrey, Adam, Johnny, Amy, Hadley, Keaton, Steve, Jennifer, Gina, Jennifer. Great grandchildren Shanda, Crystal, Jaxson, Eden, Delainey, Natalie, Aaliyah, Alexander, Gene, Mary, Jaden, Zoe, Tierney, Jacob, Michael and Julian. Great great grandchildren Jeremiah, Ruby, Sebastian and Brylee.

She was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Ruth Smith, 5 brothers, Bob, Dick, Johnny, Lee and Steve. Her husband Donald Lorenz, Daughter Carolyn Killaby, granddaughter April Hall, great granddaughter Amaya Lynch and former husband Delmar Lieb.

Nancy will be Inurned next to her daughter, Carolyn's memorial headstone at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery.

Those who wish can donate in her memory to Parents of Murdered Children (PMOC)

14427 S. Forsythe Rd. Oregon City, OR 97045