Katherine Louise Dunn

Katie died September 18th in St. Vincent’s Hospital of severe sepsis and complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Born with Down Syndrome, Katie was a shining light in our world. She was the very first Special Education Sunset High School graduate. She was a Special Olympian for over 40 years, and served on their Oregon Board of Directors. She was a downhill skier for the United States in S.O.’s World Games in Anchorage, Alaska, in 2001. Softball, volleyball and weightlifting were favorite sports. She was a student at PHAME Academy, Portland’s fine arts school for those with developmental diversity, for 27 years. Christmas choir solos at the Grotto and starring as Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! are standout memories. She worked as a clerk for Community Pathways, a brokerage serving people like Katie, for 12 years; they have instituted the Katie Dunn Smile Award in her honor.

Katie loved her independence. She had her own Beaverton apartment for 27 years. She got all around town on her bicycle (“Little Deuce Coup”), TriMet buses and the MAX. She took the WES commuter train just for fun. She was a whiz with numbers and dates, paying her bills and keeping track of her accounts. Her hobby was sending birthday cards; if she liked you, you were never forgotten. The “white elephant” birthday and Christmas gifts she gave are the stuff of legend.

Katie loved going to St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Beaverton, and they loved her. She was an acolyte monthly if not weekly, carrying the cross, lighting the candles and lifting up the gifts of bread and wine. Her interpretive signing of the Our Father (made up on the spot) brought people to tears.

The isolation of the Covid 19 pandemic and the onslaught of dementia (common for those with Down Syndrome as they age prematurely) were very hard on her. The care she received at Providence St. Vincent’s Hospital will never be forgotten by her family.

Katie is survived by her mother Anne Madden, stepfather Andy, father Jim Dunn, stepmothers Suzy Andersen and Debra Dunn, sisters Laurie Thomas, Claire Shrout, Libby Dunn and Melissa Czinger and brother Allan Czinger, as well as her beloved nephews and nieces. Gifts can be made to Special Olympics Oregon or PHAME Academy.

Her funeral will be held at St. Bartholomew’s on Friday, September 29 at 11:00 am with a lunch to follow. All are welcome. The burial will take place September 29th at 2:30 PM and will be held at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.