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Grace Louise Hyatt
Feb. 16, 1912 - May 17, 2005
A remarkable woman, wife, mother, teacher. A dedicated progressive thinker who enjoyed and cherished all people everywhere, regardless of nationality, race, or creed.
She was born February 16, 1912 in Waukegan, Illinois. Her parents were Grace Vivian Hill and Asahel George Stevens. The fifth of seven children, she grew up in Waukegan and married Dr. James Edwin Hyatt in July of 1932. She moved with her husband and four children to Oregon in 1942, living the first few years on the coast before moving to Albany. With all her children in school, she actively pursued her college education by attending extension, night classes, and summer school. She attained her Bachelor, Master, and PHD degrees in education at the University of Oregon. In Albany, Grace Louise and her husband were active in the OSU Cosmopolitan Club, gaining a number of lifelong friends from around the world.
She moved to Salem in 1953 and began a career of teaching special education. In 1958 she continued her career in Madras, Oregon. Two years later she moved to Bend and became Director of Special Education for Deschutes County. While living in Bend, she was honored with the 1975 Citizen of the Year Award. Grace Louise and her husband were instrumental in the formation and construction of the Central Oregon Opportunity Center in Redmond, Oregon.
Upon retirement she moved to Philomath in 1977. Her husband, Jim, died at a family reunion in Bandon, October 15, 1983. She moved to Ashland in 1989 where she remained for the rest of her life.
As a world traveler she visited Europe, Africa and India. She enjoyed Oregon scenery, especially the coast. She loved bird watching, classical music, and she read voraciously. She was an active member of Unitarian fellowships.
Grace Louise is survived by two sisters, Alsena Hewitt and Portia Babnick; three sons, Kim of Salem, Oregon, Peter of Hendersonville, North Carolina, Judson of Medford, Oregon and one daughter, Dr. Esther Wender, Hansville, Washington. She also leaves seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by two grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rogue Valley Symphony, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520 or to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Rogue Valley.
A service in celebration of her life will take place at the Rouge Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 87 4th St., Ashland at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 18. Celebrant will be the Rev. M. Maureen Killoran, daughter-in-law of the deceased, with the Rev. Patt Herdklotz assisting.
Sgt. Jacob M. Simpson Died in service of his country
Jacob gave his life serving our country in Iraq on May 16, 2005.
He was 24 years old.
Jacob was born in Hood River, Oregon on November 11, 1980, oddly enough on Veterans Day. He had a twinkle in his eye and a mischievousness to him from the very beginning. Keeping up with him was a full time job for the entire family.
Jake spent his early years in Hood River, OR, and the Nampa/Caldwell area of Idaho. He played a little baseball and swam on the local swim teams, and it was in those places that he began collecting his life long friends. Jake was very careful on whom he called a friend, but once he called you friend you were one for life.
He loved to play football, playing in Hood River and Ashland for the High School football teams. He spent a lot of his spare time playing LARPs and RPG's with his friends.
He was extremely intelligent, an avid reader and chess player, and was so smart that the day to day lessons in high school were quickly absorbed. He was just too smart for high school, often skipping class to spend time with friends at the quad at Southern Oregon University. He completed his G.E.D and at 19 joined the U.S. Army. He wanted to make a difference. He took the path into the Armed Forces because of the men he admired within his circle of friends and family.
Jake was a fierce protector of family and friends, checking out his sisters potential boyfriends, and he never failed to be there for his friends and family, or for the soldiers under his care.
He loved his home state of Oregon. He missed the green countryside, and his trees and mountains. He loved to cook, and even more to eat his grandmother's cooking. He was the epitome of the tall, dark and handsome soldier, and always had a smile, although never for the camera. He had a wonderful dry sense of humor, and a strong sense of right and wrong.
Jake was a scout with the US Army. It was a dangerous job, and he took his training seriously. After boot camp he spent two years stationed in Germany with the 1st Armored Cavalry, taking advantage to travel when he could. He loved Germany and the German people. While he was there, the attacks on 9/11 occurred and he re-enlisted. He felt that he could not abandon his duty in his country's time of need. Jake came home and was stationed at Fort Carson with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Squadron, Fox Troop. He was a highly respected soldier, scoring top honors for his scholastic achievements, most recently in PLDC. He deployed for his first tour in Iraq shortly after March of 2003. He returned home in March of 2004, touching base with friends and family. That year he spent time at home, walked his older sister down the aisle at her wedding, was the first person to hold his niece Madison after her birth, and became an Army Sergeant. Jake returned to Iraq in March of this year, where he made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and for freedom.
We, his family and friends, are so proud and honored to have been a part of Jacob's life and to be the bearers of his memories, hopes and dreams for tomorrow.
Jacob leaves behind a large and close extended family and many friends; his mother, Roberta Simpson of Lake Oswego; sisters, Kimberly Bemiss of Banks, and Rebecca Simpson of Glenwood, WA; and niece Madison Hoodenpyl; brother Carey Simpson of Lake Oswego; his father Gregory Simpson; and his little sister Aimee Simpson of Ontario, OR.
A Full Military Honors Services will be held at Willamette National Cemetery Friday May 27th at 1 p.m. in the afternoon. All who wish to pay their respects and honor Jacob with us are very welcome to attend.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Sgt. Jacob Simpson Education Fund at any US Bank.
Jonah Showerman
Jonah Showerman, 33, of Ashland, Oregon, died Tuesday, May 24, 2005 at the Rogue Valley Medical Center, Medford. Arrangements: Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Stephen "Steve" R. Mason
Stephen "Steve" Roger Mason, 65, of Ashland, died Wednesday (May 25, 2005) at his home. Arrangements: Memory Gardens Mortuary, Medford.
Marvel June Kirk (Schoonover)
September 13, 1930 - May 8, 2005
Marvel was born in San Bernardino, CA. She moved to Ashland, Oregon in 1952 with her husband Russell Schoonover. After her divorce she moved to Corvallis, Oregon in 1971 where she met and married Chester Kirk.
She loved being outside and working in the garden. If the sun was shining she would have her shorts on no matter what time of the year it was. Her other passions were volleyball and lap swimming. She was the oldest player (71 yrs old) on the volleyball team. She wanted to play forever. Unfortunately she had to quit due to the onset of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). She courageously fought the disease, though finally losing the battle on Mothers' Day with family by her side.
Services were held in Corvallis, Oregon on May 10,2005.
Survivors include her husband, Chet; son, Michael and wife Joyce Schoonover of Roseburg; daughters, Sandra Schoonover of Seattle, Washington, Nancy Nunez of Portland, Sally and husband Jim McAfee of West Linn; Stepson, Greg Kirk, stepdaughters, Teresa Carson and Debbie Kirk; 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Remembrances to The ALS Association of Oregon.
Joy Rigotti
A memorial service will be held at a later date for Joy Rigotti, of Ashland, who passed away on May 27, 2005 at her home with her loving husband by her side.
Joy was born on June 10, 1941 in Astoria, Oregon and graduated from the Wilson High School in Portland. After graduation Joy worked in an insurance office in Portland, Oregon. It was in Portland that Joy met her husband of 41 years, Gary Rigotti.
In 1969 Gary and Joy purchased Ashland Sanitary Service and moved to Ashland. Joy continued to work in the insurance industry in Ashland, until her daughter Gay was born. Having a tremendous fashion sense, she later enjoyed working at Second Hand Rose in Medford.
Never was there someone so befitting of the name "Joy". Her life was filled with love of her family, friends, and community. Everything that she did was done with a joy and enthusiasm that could not be matched. Her sense of humor knew no bounds. She was gifted in many ways including gardening, decorating and as Joy would say, "professional shopping". Her eye for design and color is reflected in the landscaping around their home that she not only designed, but also maintained herself. Inside her home she used her talents to make a home that reflected not only her husband's love of hunting, but also the crystal, lace and pink world of her and her daughter.
She was extremely proud and supportive of her husband's accomplishments in his business and his love of hunting. Joy loved to travel with her husband, and annually attended the ORRA, Federation for North American Wild Sheep and Ovis Conventions.
Joy was a major supporter of the Ashland School District, Ashland athletics, and the overall growth and well-being of the local community. Most importantly, she dedicated her life to her family, being a loving wife to Gary and an outstanding mother to their daughter, Gay.
She is survived by her husband Gary Rigotti, her sister Jan Grant of Florida, niece Chris Bromber of Florida and niece Susan Jacobsen of Florida. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Gay Rigotti, and her father, Al Telen and Mother, Gena Telen.
In lieu of flowers, any remembrances may be made to Southern Oregon Goodwill, 11 West Jackson, Medford, OR 97501, for uses in services provided to children with special needs.
Mabel Evelyn Mackay
Mabel Evelyn Mackay, 89, formerly of Ashland, died Monday (May 30, 2005) at Waterford Three Fountains, Medford. Arrangements: Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Yvonne D. Clinton
Yvonne D. Clinton, 88, of Ashland, died Tuesday (May 31, 2005) at her home. Arrangements: Litwiller-Simonsen, Ashland.
