Lois Merriman Black

A lifelong resident of Portland, she was born to the late Kenneth A. and Grace Beaty Merriman on Feb. 10, 1923, joining her sister, Jane, at the family home in Northeast Portland. Lois attended Alameda Grade School and Grant High School and immediately launched herself into the new world of the working woman. She married Tom Larsen in 1946, and together they had two children, Ann and Kenneth.

Upon their divorce, Lois returned to the insurance industry and spent many years at Oregon Auto and CA Tomassene. It was during this time that her strong and independent spirit began to manifest itself as she secured and protected a solid foundation for her children. In November of 1964, Lois married her soulmate, Jack Black, and several years later, the couple adopted Sara and Amy.

After the girls were enrolled in school, Jack and Lois opened the Carriage House Boutique in downtown Portland, which they operated for most of the 1970s. Lois became active in NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), working on mental health issues in Oregon. Another important part of her life was PEO, logging thousands of volunteer hours over the course of a 60+ year affiliation with Chapter AJ.

Lois is survived by her four children: Ann Fredricks, Kenneth Black (Linda), Sara Black, and Amy Black, all of the Portland area. She is also survived by two grandchildren and her nieces and nephews. Lois will forever be remembered by them for her energy, emotion, opinions, and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Providence Hospice, 6410 NE Halsey, Suite 300, Portland 97213.

Services will be held on April 24 at 1:00 pm at Pegg Paxson & Springer, 4675 SW Watson Ave., Beaverton.