Charlene Stansbury

Charlene was born in Colorado on March 5, 1940, to Charles and Dolores (Jennings) Collier. Although she lived briefly in Colorado and Missouri when she was young, and later lived most of her life in Oregon, she always considered Butte, Montana “home.” Charlene spent her formative years in Butte, living on the East Ridge, just below the Continental Divide and within walking distance of the Columbia Gardens, Butte’s cherished amusement park. Growing up in Butte’s blue-collar environment shaped Charlene’s character into the diligent, strong, resilient, and selfless person that she was.

Charlene worked in a variety of administrative jobs over the years, most notably for the FBI in Butte, where the FBI’s Director, J. Edgar Hoover, formally recognized her for her selfless dedication and superior performance. She concluded her professional career by serving as the office manager for a law firm in Tigard, Oregon where she was beloved for her compassion and dedication to her clients who were often elderly and struggling to navigate the complex estate planning system.

After retiring, Charlene dedicated thousands of hours volunteering to support the congregation at the Valley Community Presbyterian Church where she served in a variety of positions including as a Deacon.

Charlene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 37 years Dan Stansbury, her brothers Addison, Bob, Chuck, Harry, and Jim Collier, and her sisters Carole Speake and Claire Collier. She is survived by her sisters Corinne Martinell and Betty Poucher and her sons and daughters-in-law, Jon & Theresa and Sean & Michelle McBride, and grandchildren Krista, Delaney, & Connor McBride, Bearick Sparks & Dameon Pesanti, as well as two great-grandchildren, Gyuanna and Callum McBride.

Charlene will be honored by her family and friends at an interment ceremony where she will join her husband Dan at the Willamette National Cemetery, followed by a memorial service and reception at the Valley Community Presbyterian Church on June 28.

Charlene loved flowers, especially her roses. She loved giving back to her community even more. So, instead of flowers, for those wishing to contribute on Charlene’s behalf, please consider honoring her by donating to the Our Lady of the Rockies Foundation, the Valley Community Presbyterian Church, or the Veterans of Foreign Wars.