Shirleen Joan Bergstrom

Shirleen Bergstrom was called to grace on Saturday, November 23, 2013, at the age of 84. Shirleen is survived by her loving husband Donald, of 66 years. Also surviving her are sisters Madelyn Feehan and Carol Mather as well as her son, Erik (kelly) Bergstrom and seven daughters: Michelle Bergstrom, Gretchen Ford (Darel), Dawn Bergstrom, Rebecca Cranor (Michael), Jan Meriwether (John), Julie Bergstrom-Wallace (James) and Erin Bergstrom in addition to her grandchildren: Alexis Thompson, Julianne Cole, Molly O'Connor, Huston Hedinger, Michaela Linton, Ashley Gardiner, Ellie Cranor, Daren Cranor, Hayden Meriwether, Julia Meriwether, Carter Wallace, Olivia Wallace, Andrew Bergstrom and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Her brother, John Devaney II and grandson, Erinn Patrick Smith predeceased her.

A farewell rosary will be held on Friday, November 29th at 6:00 p.m. at Caldwell’s Mortuary on Sandy Blvd. A Requiem Mass will be held on Saturday, November 30th at 11:00 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church on 39th and Glisan. Private interment.

Miss Shirleen Joan (Bergstrom) Devaney was the third of four children born into the Irish Catholic household of Pearl and John Devaney. She attended Jefferson High School where she met Donald Bergstrom, the man she would spend her life with. Shirleen was 18 and Donald 20 when they married in St Andrews Catholic Church on September 14, 1947. Her attendance at Marylhurst College was diverted by her most important role as mother.

Shirleen was the matriarch of seven daughters and a son, the centrifugal force behind ensuring the homestead needs were met for an active family of 10. Nursing a childhood love of horses, Shirleen encouraged and supported her progeny’s involvement in the equine world and became a well-known horse show mom. She was a loving, caring, hard working, devout woman with understandable regrets and challenges as her children matured and started their own homes.

Shirleen replaced the demands of child-rearing with a beloved cattery that for years kept all acquaintances equipped with felines. It was a passion that sustained and comforted when the needs of her children were no longer in her hands. When Donald retired they moved to Damascus and a simpler, country lifestyle. Shirleen celebrated Donald’s conversion to the Catholic faith at the age of 65 and his accomplishments both as a master gardener and working at a local church as a soup chef for the homeless. Traveling occasionally they remained the nexus for family celebrations, most notably Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, birthdays and countless barbeque and croquet matches.

In May 2006 Shirleen and Donald moved to the retirement neighborhood of Summerplace. In the month before her 80th birthday, Shirleen suffered a stroke that began the journey toward her final rest.

The family would like to thank all who supported Shirleen in the difficult years that preceded her death. She had a strong spirit that was blessed with a passage from mortal life on the wings of those who loved her. Love from family, friends with the grace of our Father sustained her until she was called home. Shirleen’s passing is one of grief and celebration for those who loved her.

The family especially wishes to thank Carmen and David Mathis for the excellent care and support they provided to Shirleen and the entire family.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Animal Rescue & Care Fund, Inc. • PO Box 14956, Portland, OR 97293-0956.