Elia Bubenik

Bubenik, Elia Leibold 86 1/18/1924 10/17/2010 The daughter of Fred and Marguerite Leibold, Elia was born and raised in Portland. She attended Milwaukie High School and received her Bachelor of Arts in home economics from the University of Washington, where she belonged to Alpha Phi sorority and made many lifelong friends. Her first career was a buyer with Olds & King Department Store up to her marriage to Miles Bubenik in 1957. They moved to Kailua, Oahu, for two years while Miles was on assignment with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. In 1959 they returned to Portland where they built a home together with a mountain view from every window and made a warm, loving household for 51 years. Elia was serious about her career as a homemaker.

She found joy in her role as a loving mother and shared in creative activities with her grandchildren and friends. Elia loved bird watching, playing piano, swimming, daily walks, crafts projects with her girlfriends, and listening to music with Miles. Together, Elia and Miles enjoyed a multitude of seasonal activities, including gardening in their beautiful yard and backpacking the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness in Oregon. They especially enjoyed Marion Lake with their sons, Blair and Cary; and her sister, Marjorie. Elia and Miles loved their annual Oregon vacations, the last of which was to the Wallowa Mountains. They both loved to dance with friends and for many years belonged to a ballroom dance club in Portland. They regularly attended and supported the Portland opera and symphony, as well. For many years, Elia held leadership roles in the Portland Chapter of Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.), which tied her to her passion of helping women advance their education. Her gifts and leadership were also especially appreciated by the Women's Association at Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church. In more recent years Elia and Miles became associated with Moreland Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by her husband, Miles Charles Bubenik; sons, Blair and Cary Bubenik; grandchildren, Justin and Ashley Bubenik; stepchildren, Mark Bubenik, Pamela Nelson, and Lynn Bardsley; over 20 step grand and great-grandchildren; and niece, Gail Porter. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010, in Moreland Presbyterian Church, 1814 S.E. Bybee Blvd., Portland, OR 97202. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to P.E.O. Foundation, 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312.

Arrangements under the direction of Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, Portland, OR.