Obituary of Marcia Kay La Rose

Marcia Kay La Rose was born in Wahoo, Nebraska, the youngest of four daughters, to Charles S. Ramsey and Anna E. Ramsey. A few years later a baby brother joined family. As a child Marcia, was a good student. She learned to play the piano and clarinet. She was in the marching band. She enjoyed riding her bicycle. She was a bookworm! From an early age she loved her Bible and church, where her father was a Baptist minister. At the young age of 16 she met and married James David Carrillo Sr. and converted to Catholicism. Soon after, she bore her first son, James David Carrillo Jr. One year later they welcomed another son, Mark Charles, and two years after him Larry Andrew arrived. Together the young family relocated to Kansas City, MO where she had a fourth son Stephen Paul and finally a daughter Bernadette Kay. The marriage ended. She remarried and had one more son, M. Dean La Rose Jr. After the second marriage dissolved, Marcia became a single parent and raised her six children on her own. Her love for her family was always unconditional. Holidays together were the highlight of her year and she went all out to make them special even during times of hardship. When her children were young she worked for the United States Post Office. She attended UMKC and received her degree in social work and education. She became the Director of 'Free to Be' Preschool and later the director of 'Our School' Preschool. She advocated the teachings of Maria Montessori. During the 1960's in Kansas City; she became a feminist, she fought for civil rights, protested the Vietnam War, was in the anti-war movement and stood up against police brutality in the city. She was a member of a local radical newspaper collective "Gimmie Shelter". In the fall of 1977 along with her daughter Bernadette (Dee-Dee), and two family pets, a black cat named BJ and a Coy-dog named Wolfie, Marcia relocated one final time to the Pacific NW and made Portland, Oregon her home. Eventually, all of her sons followed. Over the years her children came and went, but always returned to be near their mother. Arriving in Portland she landed a job and helped to create The Rape Relief Hotline; becoming the director of what is now known as The Portland Woman's Crisis Line. Throughout her lifetime she was involved with many political groups; The Sojourner Truth Organization (STO) - where in solidarity Marcia renounced her white skin privilege. She was later employed with the State of Oregon as a case worker for the homeless and mentally ill. Marcia, always the voracious reader; she was an active collective member of Portland's local radical bookstore in the late 1970s— ‘The United Front Bookstore' and later a member of The Laughing Horse Bookstore Collective for nearly 20 years. Marcia met her long-time life companion Jesse Wilson, and they had a busy life together with social work and political activism, travel, and family. They became foster parents together for many years and In 1999 she and Jesse became full-time guardians to her grandson George Carrillo. He brought them so much joy, and they were so proud of him as they kept him involved with many activities including swimming, sports and music. During this time their family grew adding her beloved cats and 'Pablo' the African Grey Cockatiel. Marcia continued her active lifestyle. She met weekly with her political studies group "Radical Elders" and she was a strong supporter and advocate for the homeless and those struggling with addiction. In the past seven years she'd renewed her relationship with Christ. She met weekly with two women's Bible study groups and was very involved and became close with many women and elders of her church. Throughout Marcia's lifetime, despite adversity, she maintained an optimistic outlook and consistently focused on the positive and encouraged her children who loved her as a best friend. She felt very blessed with her special, longtime and lasting friendships. She lived a life dedicated to others before herself. Marcia is survived by: three sons, her daughter and many, nieces, nephews and many, many grandchildren. Two cats and Pablo. She was preceded in death: by her parents, two sisters and a brother. Two sons; Stephen Paul Carrillo in 2006 and James David in 2012, and more recently her companion Jesse Wilson in 2017 whom she cared for as he battled cancer. She also lost a granddaughter, Brooke Wilson in 2017 and a beloved daughter-in-law Joy Barrett 2018. A Memorial & Home-going Celebration to honor Marcia and those who loved her will be held on: On January 24th, 2020 12pm-3-pm Victory Outreach Church 16022 SE Stark St Portland, OR 97233 *Contributions in Marcia’s name can be made to Victory Outreach Church, Portland OR