Charlene Mae Unrein

Charlene Mae Unrein, age 79, of Portland, passed away peacefully on Friday October 19, 2018, in her home surrounded by her family. Charlene was born January 8, 1939, in Mannsville, Oklahoma to Frank Cremeen and Clydia Hollingsworth. Charlene was the eldest of seven children. Early in her childhood her family moved out west and settled in the Portland area. Charlene attended Camas Junior High in Camas Wa. before attending Jefferson High school and graduating in Portland Or. She enjoyed performing in Mr. Lotz's choir, in her favorite roll as the Ghost of Christmas Past in their production of "The Christmas Carol".

At the young age of twenty one, Charlene married the love of her life Joseph Edward Unrein at Stephen's Catholic Church on May 7, 1960. At that time she was attending St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church. Charlene worked at Dennis Uniform as a packer until the birth of her first child.

Charlene loved hosting parties, tending her garden, being a co-troop leader for the Girl Scouts, singing in the Ave Maria Chorus for the Sisters of Reparation, Marian pilgrimages to Europe, writing poetry, talking on the phone, spoiling her grandchildren, hosting her "Sisters" luncheons, attending daily Mass and watching MGM musicals.

Favorite memories include dancing at her daughter's wedding, attending Mass at St. Peter's in Rome, hearing Mother Teresa speak in Boston, birthday parties with family and listening to piano music at the Georgian Room while having lunch with her best friend and husband Joseph, "It was just like Casablanca" she once wrote.

Charlene is preceded in death by her father and mother; her brother Wendell Cremeen and her son Joseph Edward Unrein Jr.

Surviving relatives include her spouse of 58 years Joseph Unrein Sr., her two daughters; Cecilia Waits (Mark) and Elizabeth Unrein. Two beautiful grandchildren; Austin and Anna Waits, and one great grandchild Augustine Waits. Siblings; Louise Cremeen in Gleneden, Or., Cathy Kelly in Portland, Or., Terry Law in Portland, Or., Lydia Hawkins in Portland, Or. and, Lila Reed in Portland, Or.

A visitation for Charlene will be held Monday, October 29, 2018 from 9:00 am to 9:30 am at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 5239 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, Oregon 97206 followed by a rosary service from 9:30 am to 9:50 am, a funeral mass and a luncheon afterward at the church.

Later in the afternoon at 3:00 pm a burial will occur at Skyline Memorial Gardens, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland, Oregon 97229.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.skylinememorialgardens.com for the Unrein family.