Flora Gaye Di Pasquale

“Gaye” was born in Salt Lake City, but moved with her parents to Portland at an early age, attending Rose City Park Grade School and graduating from Grant H. S. in 1936. Her secretarial skills provided opportunities with Cutler MFG and then Albina Shipyards in Portland before becoming a civilian employee of the Army during WWII, stationed in Bermuda. There she met a serviceman who became the love of her life, “Vincie”, marrying in 1948. They settled first in New Jersey before relocating to Portland in 1950, making their home in the Hollywood District of NE Portland. They celebrated 40 years of marriage before Vince passed away in 1988.

Gaye had always been active in her church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, holding many positions in her ward and stake. She was most pleased to have been a Visiting Teacher for over 60 years. Her community work in her early years included soliciting door-to-door donations on behalf of March of Dimes and United Good Neighbors (United Way). She volunteered as a vote counter when elections were determined by going to the local precinct to vote. Her love of flowers and gardening encouraged her to be an active member of the Merlow Garden Club in the Rose City Park neighborhood. As her two sons progressed through school she took on leadership roles in the PTA, becoming President of the Rose City Park Grade School and Benson Polytechnic High School PTAs. She later became the Assistant Librarian at Benson. When Vincie retired from the Corp of Engineers, they moved to Summerplace. She continued to look for ways to serve and became the Summerplace Homeowners Board recording secretary for 28 years. Until this year, Gaye shared her talent on the piano both at church and as a volunteer at the Glisan Care Center, offering sing along songs familiar to the residents. She also enjoyed being a reading tutor at Glenfair Grade School for nine years. Gaye loved music, crafts and shared a love of baseball with her sons. The Yankees were her team, while the Mariners were her NW favorite. She enjoyed keeping score and maintained an annual retreat with the family to Eagle Crest the week of the World Series. Gaye also loved to travel abroad visiting 18 countries over the years. Gaye is survived by her children, Vincent J. Di Pasquale, Jr., John Di Pasquale (Jeannie); grandchildren, Angela Di Pasquale, Samantha Dinu; great-grandchildren, Jasmine and Isaac Dinu, and Leah Coats; and niece, Sheri Hansen (Malstrom). She was preceded in death by her parents, M. A. Roberts and Jennie Myrtle Dewey-Roberts; brother, James G. Roberts; and sister, Marilyn Hansen.