Angela James Bassett

Angela Bassett, known to most of us as Angie, was a very special person who touched many lives even though she never ventured far from home. You see, home is what she liked best. Home was her security, a place where she could be herself. Home was where her husband and children could always be found.

When Angie was not dealing with her brain tumor, and dealing with pain and frustration, she found her greatest comfort in family.

Angie had a little giggle that would make us all smile. She loved to laugh, but also committed to more than her fair share of tears. She was upbeat when most of us would have crawled into a little hole and given up. She was always hopeful that a cure could be found, that her tumor would stop growing, and that she could resume a normal life. I believe she only shared her real fears with her husband, mother, and a few very close friends. The past couple years meant missing birthday parties, school events, beach trips and shopping, and this was quite difficult for her. Her kids were very good about this, and probably handled it better than the adults in her life.

Angela was born on March 3, 1967 on an Army base in Fort Knox, Kentucky. After her father completed his military obligation their family returned to Portland. The family bought a home in Laurelhurst and lived there for a while, before moving to Southwest Portland and buying another home in the Multnomah Village area of the city. Angela also lived for a short time with her paternal grandparents.

Angie attended school at St. Francis, Hayhurst, Wilson High School, and Vocational Village High School. Following leaving Vocational Village, Angie went on to earn her Associates degree from PCC.

For a time Angie worked with severely compromised children at Providence Hospital. She was a gentle care giver, who found these children to be worthy of special care and abundant love. She kept in contact with many of the families after she left that job.

Angie met Jeff while she was a student at Vocational Village. They fell in love and got married on June 7, 1997. They were fortunate to add three wonderful children to their family. Tyler was born on December 12, 1997, Kessley on January 28, 2000, and Jake came along on March 28, 2003. The three kids were the light of her life. She enjoyed buying them clothes, coming up with Halloween costumes, checking their homework, answering their questions, and most of all just being there for them.

Angie is survived by her husband Jeff, her children Tyler, Kessley, and Jake, her mother Esther, her brother J.J., and numerous aunts and uncles. Her father preceded her in death on September 30, 1992. There are also extended family members who will miss her greatly: her in-laws, David and Judy, sisters-in-law, Kristi and Katy, and brothers-in-law, Steve and Justin, and her nephew Noah. There are also many friends who will miss her a great deal.

Her guardian angel, Margaret, who was also her Stephen's minister helped her in so many ways during the past few years. She often shared how they were able to laugh and cry together. Her visits were very important to her. She has continued to be a support to all of us who remain.

Sadly, Angie left us on Sunday, February 28th. None of us were prepared, nor were we ready for her departure to take place. I know we all had more stories to share, more giggles, more hugs to give, more foods to experience, especially if they were made of chocolate. Her legacy will be her beautiful family, and the many memories that each of us hold in our hearts and will continue to share with each other.

Arrangements under the direction of Caldwell's, Hennessey, Goetsch & Mcgee Funeral Home, Portland, OR.