Carolyn Frances Schlunegger

Carolyn Frances Schlunegger died peacefully at home on Wednesday, October 8, 2014. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Ralph Schlunegger, and five children: Christie Carriles (Harry), Paula (Joseph Carroll), Peter (Lisa), Suzanne, and John; as well as twelve loving grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Loving, intelligent, and thoughtful are just a few words used to describe Carolyn. She was born the last of four children to Guy and Cecilia (Scheeland) Selfridge on April 19, 1934 in Portland, Oregon. Her beloved brothers, Frank, Milton and Robert, all predeceased her. As a young woman, she attended Immaculata Academy, an all-girls Catholic high school, where she excelled at drama and made life-long friends. After high school, she started work at Standard Insurance and was introduced by mutual friends to Ralph Schlunegger, whose parents owned a Parkrose dairy farm. They soon fell in love and were married on Valentine’s Day, 1953.

Their first daughter was born within a year, and they moved into a small 2-bedroom house on NE Halsey St. that Ralph built for his family. When the fifth child was born in 1963, they had outgrown their tiny abode. At Carolyn’s insistence, they moved to a large turn-of-the-century Victorian on NE 70th Avenue, which became the center of family activity for another 40-plus years. Carolyn redecorated the house from top to bottom, filling it with the family heirlooms she loved, as well as antiques she and Ralph acquired at local auctions. In 2006, they moved to Summerplace, a retirement community a few blocks from their first little house.

Once her youngest child reached school age, Carolyn went back to work as an Office Manager, first for a large construction company in Gresham and later for a consulting engineering firm. Her smart business acumen and strong work ethic became her trademark. When she finally retired, she and Ralph were able to travel to many wonderful places, including Italy, Paris, London, New Zealand and Australia.

One of Carolyn’s greatest joys in life was the annual Christmas Eve gathering at her home. Her tree was always grandly decorated with her collection of unique, vintage ornaments. Carolyn insisted on buying personalized gifts for every member of her ever-expanding family. Individually wrapped presents were stacked to the ceiling every year. A full-suited Santa Claus (her brother Frank and later, cousin Bill) walked through the Schlunegger front door every Christmas Eve for over 50 years, delighting three generations of wide-eyed children. But no one was ever more delighted than Carolyn at the joy and enduring memories that her celebration provided her treasured family.

Carolyn will always be remembered for her indomitable spirit and her uncompromising love for family and friends. Her energy, strength and generosity will be missed by all who knew her. God bless you, Carolyn - dearest wife, mother, grandmother and friend - rest in peace. Carolyn will be laid to rest at Willamette National Cemetery.