Theodora Lauretta Garvey Stennett

Theodora was born on December 28th, 1924 in Somerton, St. James, Jamaica. She was raised by her loving parents Theodore Stennett and Isabel Garvey-Stennett in both Somerton and Montego Bay, Jamaica as the youngest child of five along with her brothers Henry (Harry) Garth, Rudolph, and her sisters Isoline and Inez. Theodora later had two daughters of her own: Yvonne and Paulette, whom she raised for most of their lives in Jamaica.

Theodora later moved to the United States, Florida, to join her two daughters as the elder sister Yvonne married, and the other, Paulette, attended high school. She then moved to Manhattan to study nursing as an LPN which became her career's work. Later, she relocated to the west coast with her daughters as one attended college and the other began a family in Portland, Oregon. She continued working at skilled nursing facilities providing a wide range of health and personal care services as well as in-home nursing in the private sector, work which she truly loved.

A generous woman who took great pride in her heritage and doted on her children and grandchildren, Theodora found tremendous joy being surrounded by her loved ones and was the matriarch of her extended family. A gifted design artist, she was a lover of fashion and a collector of jewelry, fine and unique. Though she was an independent soul, her world was centered around her family and community. She was an entertaining and charismatic conversationalist, and a truly gifted chronicler of her storied family history.

Her deep and unwavering faith helped guide her through all of life’s changes, and she became an oracle for her family- offering wisdom and a needed perspective throughout the years. Her dynamism was contagious, and one of her favorite pastimes was dancing with her friends and relatives alike. These special moments will be dearly missed by all of her loved ones and admirers, as will her indomitable spirit of positivity and the grace in which she touched so many lives.

Theodora was the last surviving member of her immediate family, and was preceded by her daughter Yvonne Sweetland. She is survived by her daughter Paulette, her Son-in-Law Nabeel, and her grandchildren Jamal, Jennah, Jihad, Omar, Nihal, and Lawana along with her eight great-grandchildren Myles, Spencer, Kursi, Dezmon, Nayah, Maxime, Sophia, and Martin, as well as her great-great-grandson, Silas. Theodora was estranged from her granddaughter Cerena.

A private funeral service including a celebration of life will be held at Finley-Sunset Hills Funeral Home in SW Portland, Oregon on Thursday December 19th at 12:30 PM which will be preceded by a viewing from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM. Theo’s internment will take place at the neighboring Sunset Hills Memorial at 2:00pm with a reception to follow.

Should you wish to make a donation in Theodora’s memory, please consider contributing to The Epilepsy Foundation, a cause she cared deeply about.