Name: Skyline Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home
Address: Portland, OR

Bisrat and I worked in Vital Records together. We were both always there early in the morning, and her cheery “Good morning, Kelly!” always got my day off to a good start.

Bisrat helped my department several times, and I had the opportunity to train her. She was always so happy to help, and I enjoyed working with her, and training her. I always had to tell her to not be afraid to let me know if she had questions and also not to apologize if she did. 

I was surprised when Bisrat announced her retirement, and so happy for her. I am so sorry to hear she has passed. She was a lovely woman.

Fondly,
Kelly Stacey

So honored to have attended the funeral service for Bisrat. It was beautiful and very unique. Her young grandsons spoke of how much they loved their grandma and how much they missed her. Her son, holding the oldest grandson, asked him to say what he knew to be true. This 7 year old beautiful boy said > grandma is always with us. She is here with us now. He went on to say that she had joy everyday. His father held him until he could speak again, and he said "l love you grandma, l love you".  Her son agreed that Bisrat, his mother, had joy every day and they always had joy with her. The children were given the microphone to speak and share what they felt. It was beautiful. 

Rest in peace Bisrat. I will always remember you ... always. Blessings to her family.


My heart aches for Bisrat. She was a sweet, kind, gentle woman, who always smiled and said hello to me at work when she would see me. I will never forget her, and I feel blessed to have crossed paths with her and gotten to know her as a friend and a co-worker. She was an angel on earth, and I will never forget her sweet smiling face and her kind ways! May she rest in peace and love always! 

Patricia Stinson
Biosrat's co-worker 

I was so sad to hear of Bisrat's passing. I worked with her for 10 years at the state, and she was such a joy to be around. We got to work at about the same time, and hearing her cheery "Good morning Kelly!" was always a good start to my day. I am honored to have been fortunate enough to know Bisrat.

My deepest condolences to Bisrat's family. You had a very special woman in your lives and may those wonderful memories you have of her carry you through these difficult times.

IT'S TRUE.  THE GOOD DIE YOUNG.  SHE WAS ALWAYS SMILING.  SHE CAME IN EVERY DAY.  SHE WAS A LOVELY WOMAN.  

SHE TOLD ME THE CHURCH BY MY HOUSE WAS AN ETHIOPIAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH.  THEY ALL DRESSED IN WHITE VEILS.  I WONDERED WHO THEY WERE.  THEY MUST HAVE BEEN AMONG THE 1ST CHRISTIANS BECAUSE THEY WERE SO CLOSE TO JESUS' LIFE AND DEATH.  

SHE LIVED THE BEST CHRISTIAN LIFE AND WAS AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL.  HOW FORTUNATE YOU WERE TO HAVE HER IN YOUR FAMILY.

BEST WISHES TO YOU ALL IN THE FUTURE.

Bisrat was such a warm and positive person. She made the workplace fun. I loved hearing her talk about her family and trips they were planning. She will be missed. 

Bisrat was one of the most positive people I have ever known. 
I enjoyed our conversations about soccer,  family and life in general. If I ever was having a bad day, she would change it by her bright smile and way of finding the good in every situation. 
This world lost a very beautiful spirit. You will be missed greatly by all!

Bisrat,
I will never stop wishing for a moment with you before you passed. I have many great memories from working with you, most of which are just personal moments that have nothing at all to do with work. I especially remember talking to you about dreams and the symbolism of elephants! You encouraged and believed in me so much and always did so, as so many have said, with the most beautifully infectious smile! You were a bright beacon to so many of us, you will be missed so very much. Rest in peace, light and love my friend. 
~Ember

Bisrat was a co-worker, staff member and friend. She always had a smile on her face even when she was not happy.
She would explain her culture to me so I could help others and her understand each other.  She brought me a beautiful pen and pencil set back from Australia.
When I left the State she left me a beautiful email saying she missed me. She hugged me so tight when I left! I love you and will miss you Bisrat.

I was the executive manager of vital records registration and data entry units for 10 years at the Oregon Health Authority, retiring in May 2018. Bisrat was one of my staff. Bisrat was outstanding in her job. She was fast and extremely accurate. Other employeed not only looked up to her, they learned from her. I was so honored to have Bistrat on my team. In addition to her excellence,  l knew that l could always count on her and fully trust her. I was especially honored because she told me l was her role model, the best manager ever and the most successful for our team. She said it would be hard to work without me as her manager. What she maybe did not know is that l would have found it hard to have her leave while was still managing. She was that valuable. I send my heartfelt sympathy and love to her son and family. Bisrat was very special and l know that l will always remember her. Rest in peace Bistrat.
 

A sweet and kind soul. 
My favorite memory requires us travel back in time. 
It was the mid-80s and my family along with other family friends traveled to Portland, OR to visit Bisrat and Abby and to attend my sister's college graduation ceremony.
We decided to go to a Chinese restaurant to celebrate. Bisrat and another guest were adamant that they cannot eat pork. Our waiter couldn't string two English words together. Nevertheless, after firm confirmations from the waiter we were advised the order did not contain pork. 
Bisrat's food comes early while others had to wait and she began to dig in. Our other guest who was very vocal immediately tore into the waiter because he was served pork. Bisrat, with a slight sense of panic, having eaten her meal, nervously stated that it could not be pork and she would know if it was pork from a mile away. When confronted, the waiter admitted that indeed the dish served was Pork.
I can still hear poor Bisrat scream in horror running to the bathroom. 
I miss you Auntie.


Dearest Bisrat,

I remember the last I saw you was in Austin, Texas.

I do remember we spoke many times a year ago when Mom had her second stroke. 

I also remember we missed seeing each other last year in Pompano, Florida by a day or two.  

A very vivid memory that I have is the picnic at Villa Borghese in Rome, Italy.
It was a warm sunny summer day. I remember the giggles, the happy faces, the smiles, the laughters... It was pure happiness.

I will always be grateful and thankful to you because without you, I don’t know if I would have the life that I have now. 

That one year that I lived with you and Abby in Portland was so precious to me. It was the first time that I lived away from my father, mother and brothers. You made me feel at home. I will always cherish our memories.

I can still remember your outburst of laughter until you had tears streaming down your cheeks. I miss you already. 

We are so much alike. Independent. Outspoken. Kind. I have always admired you. I love you and will always love you.

I am so sorry and angry that I won’t make it to your funeral. It’s beyond my control. I have to accept it. This letter is my way of being with you.

I love you.
May you Rest In Peace.

I can’t remember if you called me Joyina or was it Joya. I think it was Joyina. You were the only one that called me that way.

 I love you so much.

Your  niece,

Joy 

I'm a friend of Abby's from high school.  She had several kids over for an authentic Ethiopian dinner.  I will never forget the loving experience of her sharing her culture and cuisine with my sheltered Oregon upbringing. Her kindness and warmth is what I remember of her from high school and later when I met her as an adult.  I know how much she adored spending time with Abby, Winny and her grandchildren.  May she rest in peace and we will always remember her.

Bisrat was my first friend at OHA and she became a special friend. We shared many moments talking about our families and especially our children. She was so proud of her family and loved being a grandma. Everytime you would talk to Bisrat she had that amazing smile that could brighten up the universe! She was a beautiful and caring friend and I will miss her alot! Rest in Peace Bisrat! You will always have a place in my heart! 

I was so sorry to hear of Bisrat's passing.  I was one of her co-workers at the Center for Health Statistics.  She always had a smile on her face and was a very positive upbeat  person.  She was an uplifting person and I and everyone else will miss her greatly.  

Karen Cooper

She was an immense ray of sunshine with her positive personality.  Her immense kindness to me at a time that was very hard for me, will NEVER be forgotten! May she smile upon us all from her Spiritual Home. 

OBITUARY

Bisrat Afeworki

November 22, 1953 – May 25, 2020

Skyline Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home

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