Barbara June Malsey was born May 31, 1926, in Portland, Oregon to Mark and Inez Shaw. One sibling preceded her in death. Her brother, Charles Shaw resides in Bend, Oregon.
Barbara and Gene met the summer before their senior year of high school. Immediately upon turning age 18 Gene left Benson High School to enlist in the Army Air Corps and, on D-Day, was shipped to Europe to join the war “for the duration”. He was stationed in Germany and France serving as a guard at a camp for German prisoners. He earned medals for his service including a Sharp Shooting medal.
Gene and Barbara were married shortly after Gene’s return from the war at Waverly Heights Congregational Church. Gene arrived late to his wedding covered in grease due to his car breaking down on the way to the church.
Barbara worked at the First National Bank in downtown Portland before her marriage to Gene and for a few years after until Terry Lee, Toni Jean, Tamara Lynn and Trudy Ann arrived. Between their four children there are seven grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.
Gene worked for Pacific Northwest Bell for thirty-seven and a half years. He started his career scaling telephone poles and retired from a management position. He was amazed when he realized he was retired longer than he worked.
Both Gene and Barbara were long term members of Kern Park Christian Church. For sixty plus years Barbara taught Sunday school at Kern Park Christian Church and strived every day to be an example of her Christian life. Barbara hosted the Happy Hour Bible Club at our house for neighborhood children, worked at the Happy Days Christian Nursery and School, and joined in escorting children at the end of their school day to a local church in North Portland and assisted in Bible teaching there. Barbara also led in Campfire/Bluebirds while maintaining a loving home. There was never a child Barbara did not care for or accept as a child loved by God. She was dedicated to giving each child the message of God’s love for them. Barbara was a natural born teacher and would have been, if further educated, an exceptional professional educator. Gene became involved in church activities as Deacon, Elder, and Property Commission Chair. Gene was unquestionably the guiding force behind the rebuilding of the church after a devastating fire. Gene worked for years as a reserve deputy sheriff for Multnomah County and earned his leadership place as Lieutenant.
Gene and Barbara were married just shy of 75 years before their deaths; Gene died June 1, 2021, and Barbara died July 28, 2021, both of natural causes and both at the age of 95. At their request they lived at the home of their daughter in Vancouver, WA eventually under hospice. All four children were active in their care.
Barbara and Gene are interred together in Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.skylinememorialgardens.com for the Malsey family.
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