Roma Lue Hartman

Roma Lue Hartman, 95, of Southwest Portland, passed March 3, 2026 just short of her 96th birthday. She was born to Ruth Elizabeth Leslie and Clifton Leslie Nelson in Ferron, Utah, a small pioneer town in the high desert.

Roma moved to Salem, Oregon as young girl where she enjoyed her high school academic and social life. She graduated from the University of Oregon School of Nursing in 1952. In 1951, she married her high school sweetheart, Stanley E. Hartman shortly before he left for Ft. Benning and was deployed to the Korean War.

Roma loved her homes in Portland’s Willamette Heights and later Arlington Heights where she was inspired daily by a panoramic city view and the sun rising over Mt. Hood. She was a lifelong artist accomplished in watercolors, bead stringing, tile ceramics, tailoring, furniture refinishing and the occasional ikebana arrangement. She loved all holidays, especially the antics of Halloween and the pageantry of Christmas.

Together, she and Stan kept up with high school friends and enjoyed many visits to Manzanita. As her two daughters grew, she renewed her nursing license in 1974 and worked many years providing tender care to patients in local clinics. Roma loved water fitness and the camaraderie she found at the Sunset Athletic Club pool.

In midlife, Roma entered full communion with the Catholic Church and became active in the St. Elizabeth and St. Juan Diego parish communities. She traveled to Mexico City, Austria, Italy, England and France.

She and Stanley lived for many happy years in SW Portland and later Beaverton. They were active members of The Oregon Society of Artists and Elderhostel.

Widowed in 2007, Roma made many new friends when she eventually moved to Laurel Parc at Bethany Village.

She was preceded in death by her husband Stanley and her sister, Ruth LaRayn Seaton.

She is survived by daughters Deborah Hartman and Donna Hartman Morrow, three grandchildren: Matthew Triest (Kristina) of Portland, Marcus Triest (Mary Kate) of Austin, TX, and Paige Morrow of New York City. She delighted in great-grandchildren Isabel Roma Triest, Parker Josephine Triest, and was awaiting her first great-grandson arriving any minute in Austin. She is also survived by her siblings Grant Nelson, Irene (Stuart) Williams, and Shirley (Howard) Cook, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Roma will be remembered for her beautiful eyes, long-lasting friendships, artistic talent and collections of beads, tiny spoons and Cape Cod glassware.

The family wishes to thank the numerous caregivers, friends and staff who supported Roma along the way. Very special thanks go to Emily Mancia for her many years of companionship and love.

Remembrances are welcome at Oregon Society of Artists or Cedar Mill Community Library Association of Washington County. A private gathering will be held at a later time.