Barbara May Dickinson

1934-2019

Barbara was born June 8, 1934, to Christian and Lydia Strickwerda in Portland, Oregon. She was the oldest daughter following Daniel and then siblings Catherine, Mollie and Christian.  Barbara grew up in NE Portland attending Kennedy Elementary School followed by Grant High School. Barbara continued her education and went to business school. On November 25, 1953, she married Kenneth C. Dickinson who she had met while working at Alder Street Clock Shop.  Kenneth was drafted into the United States Army, went to boot camp and technical trading in Texas and then was assigned to a base in Germany.  Barbara, wanting to be with the love of her life, decided to follow Kenneth.  Lifelong friendships were made.  When Ken wasn’t working on the Army base in Germany, they enjoyed traveling the countryside in their Volkswagen Beetle purchased from the factory in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Barbara’s working career included Alder Street Clock Shop, General Motors, Pettijohn Engineering Co., Multnomah County Election Board, Rehabitat, AC Schommer and Sons.

She was a Member of Tyee Yacht Club and Vernon United Presbyterian Church.  Barbara created Pockets the Clown and brought many smiles to Vacation Bible school children.

The family has many fond memories of trips to Crescent Lake, Oregon beaches, boating on the Columbia River, summer picnics and camping vacations as well as homemade meals made by Barbara.  Her girls especially recall homemade rye bread, cookies, cakes, and pies, and pickles as specialties of hers.  She was a master gardener, accomplished seamstress and excellent cook. Barbara was known by her daughters to be a very strong and brave woman who set a wonderful example of what a wife and mother should be.

Barbara passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 19, 2019, at Powell Valley Assisted Living in Gresham, Oregon with family at her side.  She is survived by her three daughters Cynthia Ann Williams of Tonasket, WA, Lori Marie Linton of Brush Prairie, WA and Deborah Kay Steenson of Gresham, OR and their spouses. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.  Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Christian and Lydia; her husband of 54 years, Kenneth; one sister, Catherine; one grandson, Joshua Kenneth and one great-granddaughter, Allie Joy.

A memorial service will be held at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR, at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, September 30, 2019. Condolences to a charity of your choice can be made in her honor.