Fern Parker

On February 6, Fern Sweet Parker passed away peacefully surrounded by her children who will miss her love greatly. Born on April 10, 1926 in Huntington Park, California, Fern grew up during the Depression when money was scarce and with no family car, she got around town on roller skates. Her mother worked as a beautician and exchanged beauty work for lessons for Fern: piano, drama, singing, tap, ballet, guitar and ukulele. At nine and ten years old, Fern won first place two consecutive years in drama at the Southern California Festival for Allied Arts. Despite a difficult childhood, she graduated with a degree in Education from Pepperdine College in 1947. She taught elementary school over 30 years for the Portland Public Schools at Fernwood Elementary and Laurelhurst Elementary. Fern married Wayne Parker in 1944 during WWII and spent the first 20 years of marriage as a military wife and mother raising three children. After 30 years of marriage, Wayne and Fern divorced. In 1981, Fern was instrumental in passing national legislation to secure benefits for divorced spouses of military personnel. Fern was a kind, generous, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who loved her family above all else. She is survived by her son, Bruce Parker and his wife, Kathy; daughters, Donna Brockman, and Caron Gibbons and her husband, Dell; grandsons, Rob, Greg and Jeff Parker; granddaughters, Karina Parker and Destiny Roberts; and great granddaughter, Isis Roberts. She was a feisty little woman, hope heaven is ready for her. A memorial service was held on February 10 at Wilhelm's Portland Memorial Chapel. Fern's family wishes to thank the staff and caregivers at Calaroga Terrace for the compassionate care they extended to Fern during the years she lived there. Also, great thanks to the doctors, nurses and caregivers at Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center who cared for Fern in her final days. Memorial donations to the charity of your choice. Service Information