11
ombaid
L owery ’ s B ower
Memories of a beloved civil rights activist will bloom
in a fitting Rose City memorial by Amanda Burden
“In that room, he turned to Lon, flew his arms
hen Keeston Lowery flew
around him and kissed him on the cheek. The
into a room, friends say it
look on Lon’s face was priceless.”
was as though a wheelbarrow
Others who worked with Lowery remember
of fragrant flowers whisked
the Mississippi-born activist’s unparalleled grin.
in with him.
“I loved him,” says Madelyn Wessel,
Lowery was adored by many who came in
Portlands chief deputy city attorney. “I mourn
contact with him—as evidenced by the appear
him
every day. He was this effective, zany, bril
ance five years ago of 700 people at his
liant tactician and strategist who got things
Washington Park memorial service, attended by
done.
”
then-Gov. Barbara Roberts, former Gov. Neil
She adds, “He was an incredible warm blast
Goldschmidt and Portland Mayor Vera Katz.
Though Lowery died from AIDS complica
of goodness.”
tions half a decade ago, fond memories of the
Wessel notes the city’s anti-discrimination
man continue to flourish within many who
law would not be in effect without Lowery’s
efforts. She says he also helped write the city’s
knew him.
employee benefits policy for domestic partners,
Mary Volm, who worked with Lowery at
Portland City Hall and gardened with him out
which was approved last year.
side the office, says, “He had a profound influ
Lowery, who was 45 when he died, was a key
ence on people; so many loved him. I think of player in securing money to build the Friendly
him every day.”
Before Lowery died, Volm told the
avid gardener she planned to establish
a topiary at Portland’s City Hall in his
honor. Lowery just laughed.
“You had to know him, he was an
amazing person and he had a wonder
ful laugh,” she remembers.
Volm never forgot her promise and
worked to establish the garden after
Lowery died.
On May 1, a handful of city officials
and friends gathered to kick off the
project by planting several shrubs and
flowers in the proposed spot.
The Meditation Garden will
encompass a 50-by-40-foot area in the
City Hall courtyard at Southwest
Fourth Avenue and Jefferson Street.
The plot will brim with perennials—
Lowery’s favorite—and pathways, a
bench and a watering system.
Volm hopes to raise $3,000 to
$4,000 for the effort, which isn’t slated
to be finished until September. Some
of Lowery’s own plants will grow in the
public garden.
“He told me you want to create
mystery in the garden. You want to
have paths that wind around,” Volm
says. “When you reach the end you can
look back and see the whole garden.” Vera Katz and Mike Lindberg lend a hand
House Community Center in Northwest
Lowery was employed by the city for 10
Portland. He managed to pull together a coali
years, after coming from a physical therapy
background. Primarily, he worked as an aide to
tion to nab transportation funds for the project.
Among other features, the center offers after
Mike Lindberg, then a city commissioner.
school
programs and services for the elderly and
“[Lowery] was the most remarkable political
the financially disadvantaged.
person; he could raise money, he was sincere,
“This was a classic Keeston thing to do,” says
honest and accepted,” Volm recalls.
Lowery is perhaps best known for being the
Wessel.
In addition, he served as Lindberg’s liaison to
force behind a city ordinance that bars discrim
the city water bureau, working on environmen
ination based on sexual orientation.
Six years ago when Lowery began campaign tal and water policies.
Water bureau director Mike Rosenberger
ing for the initiative, with Lindberg and
says, “[Lowery] was willing to take on controver
Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury as sponsors,
sial issues—big or little—and he looked at them
the political climate was much different than it
in a perspective of fairness and equity and doing
is today. Supporters of the Oregon Citizens
the right thing. He was willing to try to get prob
Alliance’s anti-gay measures 9 and 13 were
lems resolved and had an incredible way with
drumming up support. Lowery was considered
by many to be a trailblazer who took a great deal
people."
He adds, “You felt good just being around
of heat for helping to craft the ordinance and
rallying votes to shepherd the law through.
him.”
“I remember the day [the ordinance passed].
■ Contributions to the MEDITATION GARDEN can
It was during the Lon Mabon era, and we knew
be sent to Mary Volm, c/o Office of Transportation,
[the vote] would be unanimous," says Volm.
1120 S.E. Fifth Ave., Room 702, Portland, OR
(Mabon is the longtime head of the OCA.)
97204.
“When [Lowery] flew into the hearing room
he was full of hugs and kisses,” continues Volm.
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