Helen Sydney Gleeson

Helen Sydney (Holland) Gleeson December 17, 1918 – December 5, 2014 John (Jack) Elsworth Gleeson October 15, 1917 – November 30, 2014 Jack Gleeson passed away at his residence in Beaverton, Oregon from natural causes. He was 97. His wife, Helen Sydney Gleeson (age 95), passed away from natural causes five days later at her residence in Beaverton. Helen and Jack were married for 73 years. They are survived by their children Mike Gleeson (partner, Linda Girard), Tim Gleeson (wife, Linda Gleeson) and Sydney Gleeson (partner, Lester Stuplich); four grandchildren, Carsten Gleeson, Jessica Schlegel, Holland Brewer, and Kimberly Braly; and six great grandchildren. Jack was born in Portland, Oregon to Walter and Lillian Gleeson. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as all of his siblings, George Gleeson, Art Gleeson, Bill Gleeson, Fred Gleeson, and his twin sister, Joyce Woodfield. Jack attended Jefferson High School and entered into the Food Merchandising business shortly after graduation. Through the years he worked various capacities in the grocery business including management of various retail grocery stores, wholesale food distributors, and as Merchandise Manager for Meier and Frank Company’s specialty grocery and food services. Helen was born in Roseburg, Oregon to Hazel and Sydney Holland. She was preceded in death by her parents, her Step Mother, Ruth Holland, and two of her three sisters, Hazel June Christie and Betty Bishop. Helen is survived by her youngest sister, Mary Riley of Missoula, Montana. Helen graduated from Franklin High School in Portland; then attended Linfield College. She was a devoted wife, homemaker and mother. As the family grew up, Helen reentered the work force as a legal secretary for the Asher and Cramer Legal Firm, later becoming the Cramer and Cromwell Law Firm. Both Helen and Jack had a penchant for hard work, but were also able to balance work and recreation, resulting in a stable and loving family environment. During their child rearing years, they were active organizing kids’ summer baseball programs and school affairs and activities. They were devoted parents and made the family their top priority. In addition to the immediate and extended family, Jack and Helen had many friends they enjoyed entertaining, and hosted numerous, joyous gatherings of family and friends. Jack and Helen had many wonderful retirement years during which they continued enjoying tennis, bridge, ballroom dancing, entertaining, and, especially, vacationing and swimming off the beaches of Hawaii. They were extremely loyal and devoted to one another and did almost everything together, including their departure from this life. They will be missed deeply and will be lovingly and gratefully remembered by friends and family. There will be a private interment on December 19, 2014. A memorial service celebrating each of their well lived lives will occur on April 11, at 1:00 p.m. at Wilhelm’s Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 6705 SE 14th Ave Portland, OR 97202 – Phone: 503-236-4141 – email: WilhelmPortlandmemorial.com. " The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, remembrances made to any of the following charities: A. Oregon Partnership for Alzheimer's Research, C/O Layton Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Center - Attn Linda Boise, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Rd. (CR131) Portland, OR 97239. Checks Payable to: OHSUF-Oregon Partnership for Alzheimer's Research. B. Central City Concern, 232 NW Sixth Ave. Portland, OR. 97209, Email-www.centralcityconcern.org, phone-503-294-1681. C. Care Partners - Suite 210 - 1600 NW Compton Drive - Hillsboro, OR. 97006; Phone 503-648-9565, (Hospice)." Service Information