Obituary of Persis B. De La Mare

August 4, 1926 – March 16, 2011 Our beautiful, brave mother left us and went so peacefully, surrounded by family, friends and her loving caregivers of eight years. She will be admired and remembered for her optimism and tenacity in the fight of her life against Multiple Sclerosis, a battle she fought for over 50 years. Born in Cascade, Idaho, to Richard Percy and Bertha (Egger) Rutledge, the third of five children, Persis grew up in a logging camp owned and operated by her father and mother. She often told us how much she admired her mother’s ability to cook and keep so many loggers fed and happy. She had many fond memories of her childhood. Persis graduated from Cascade High School in 1945, moved to Boise and enrolled in St. Alphonsus’ Cadet Nursing Program. She worked as a nurse in Boise then moved to Oregon to finish her education, obtaining a BS degree from the University of Oregon. She went on to teach Nursing Arts at the old St. Vincent Hospital and at the University of Portland, where she met, and later married, Philippe in 1957. She continued working as a nurse until the birth of her second daughter in 1963. In addition to raising her three children, Persis had many interests she pursued, including collecting antiques and Oriental rugs. She was a creative person, very thrifty and was ahead of her time, recycling in the ‘70’s before it was popular. Her children remember the monthly trips to the various recycling stations posted around Portland. Persis was also very social and it was a priority to spend time with the friends at the Multnomah Athletic Club and to remain in touch with former nursing students and colleagues from over the years. Early on in her marriage she traveled the world. Persis also had the opportunity to live in Alaska, France, and Korea. She loved anything that took her out-of –doors, such as hiking and skiing in the Pacific Northwest, or just sitting on the deck in the sun. Persis is survived by her sisters, Ann Rutledge of Portland and Kay Frankenstein of Seattle; children, Monique De La Mare Krahn of Brush Prairie, WA, Melisse De La Mare Gibson and Philippe of Portland; and grandchildren, Amelie, Sophie, Madeleine, Jess, Jeffrey, Claire, Garman, , Hues and Clive. Persis was preceded in death by her husband, Philippe, in 2009. A memorial service and celebration of Persis’ life has already taken place. You could, however, make a donation in her name to either the National MS Society or OHSU Foundation/MS Center of Oregon. Crown Memorial Center of Portland handled all arrangements.