Mildred Jane Armstrong

Mildred was a 1939 graduate of Omaha North High School. On March 13, 1943 she and Phil Armstrong were united in marriage in Omaha.

While Phil was overseas during World War Two as a Merchant Mariner, Mildred worked typing up medical records for the servicemen.

During their time in Omaha they had their first two daughters (Billie and Kathie), along with owning and operating a doughnut shop. Later they moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where their third daughter (Phyllis) was born. Soon they moved to Devils Lake, ND and in 1953 they moved to Portland, Oregon. Mildred originally worked from home; many professional photographers would bring sepia-tone and black and white photographs for her to use her artistic talents applying color to.

In 1956, once all of her children were in school, Mrs. Armstrong continued her education, earning her Bachelor’s in Education from Portland State University, and then spent 23 years as an elementary school teacher at Cherry Park School in the David Douglas School District, retiring in 1980. She was a devoted educator and her students adored her.

After her retirement she and Phil, for many years, were snowbirds in Mesa, Arizona, where she enjoyed making ceramics and painting in oils. She also loved winning at casino slot machines, hosting family at their vacation home on the Nehalem River, and enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family was of great importance to her and she always sought to improve their lives. After Phil passed away in 2007, she, two of her daughters, and one son-in-law flew to Washington DC, where they rented a van and spent the next 3 weeks traveling to Omaha for the Delehoy family reunion. Along the way, they visited both Phil's relatives and hers; many of whom she had not seen in decades. In Omaha she was, once again, able to see her childhood home and her old school. In the 1970's she also took a vacation to Hawaii - all this despite her fear of flying.

In her final three years she resided at Trinity Blessed Homecare where she was cared for with loving hands and hearts by Hermina Hunter, Menchie Dorm, Shug De Rama, Celia Galang, Edna Orefice and most recently Rosa Dela Torre.

Along with her husband Phil's passing in 2007, Mildred was also preceded in death by her sister, Kathryn Delehoy, who passed away in 2010.

She is survived by and will be missed by her children, Billie Valentine, Kathie McBride and fiancé Tom Parsons, and Phyllis Addis and husband Ed; sisters Lola Stutheit and husband Ernie and Willa Smith and husband Ross; and by eight grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The honorary pallbearers are Ed Addis, Tom Parsons, Greg Nystrom, Eddie Addis, Sean Addis, Jeff Babikoff and Chris Babikoff.

After the service friends and family are invited to Billie Valentine's home for a gathering and remembrances of Mildred.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like a donation to be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

There will be a viewing on Friday, January 29 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. and the service will be at 1:00 on Saturday January 30 at Lincoln Memorial Park.