Siletz news letter., June 01, 1995, Page 7, Image 7

June 1995
7
3fn Uofatng Jffllemorp of Pauline JM lte &idrt
1929-1995
Tribal Member Pauline Ricks was
bom on November 19, 1929 to Arthur
"Jug" and Angeline Bell in Logsden,
Oregon. She passed away April 30, 1995 in
Portland, Oregon.
She married Chuck Ricks on
February 2,1957 in Salem, Oregon.
Pauline lived in Springfield, Oregon for 35
years, but resided in Logsden for the past 4
years. She was a member of the Siletz
Gospel Tabernacle.
She is survived by her husband,
Chuck; son, Randall Ricks of Logsden;
foster daughter, Marcella Butler of
Vancouver, Washington; brother, Delbert
Bell of Springfield; sister, Clarice
McKnight of Springfield; numerous nieces,
nephews, great nieces and nephews and
one great great niece.
A wake was held, Wednesday, May
3 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Siletz
Gospel Tabernacle. Services for Pauline
were held at the Siletz Tribal Center on
Thursday, May 4,1995 at 2:00 p.m.
Officiating at the service were, Reverend
Roy Wood of the Oakridge Assembly of
God Church, Reverend Bruce Sullenger of
the Siletz Gospel Tabernacle and Virgil
Brown.
Music included, "In The Carden"
& "Take My Hand Precious Lord" by
Lawrence Clayton; "Just A Closer Walk"
sang by Selene Lynch; and "Lord's Prayer"
performed by Siletz Youth Group in Indian
Sign. Bearers were: Ralph Easter, Calvin
Easter, Joe McKnight, Art McKnight, Mel
McKnight and John Hudson Jr. Honorary
Bearers were: E d Ben, Bob Tom, Bennie
Brown Jr., Gladys Bolton, Madge Mason,
Nellie Orton, Betty Whitehead and
Kathryn Harrison.
The Interment was held at Paul
W ash in gton Cemetery in Siletz, Oregon
followed by a pot luck gathering of family
and friends at the Tribal Center.
In the hearts and minds of those
who knew and loved her these words of
description linger: kind, dedicated, loving,
sweet, thoughtful, genuine. She was the
smile that greeted you at the gatherings,
the driving force for much that has been
accomplished within the Tribe, she had the
ability to pull people together to
accomplish a common purpose, a
willingness to listen to the problems and
concerns of others and, as Ed Ben put it,
she was a "Warrior".
The arms o f heaven are waiting,
Open wide to welcome this child home.
The love o f fam ily w aiting to caress the
c h ild
The love o f ( j o d to hold a n d embrace.
JL gown to clothe an d welcome home.
J it heavens gate, I sta n d rejoicing.
J it heavens gate I stand, singing.
J it heavens gate I see home a n d our loved
ones,
They are there f o r me.
Spirit o f mine, calm
Love o f my fam ily, hlan f a t e d nte f o r a safe
jo u r n e y home.
She was instrumental in the
Restoration of the Siletz Tribe, making an
eloquent speech to Senator Hatfield s
Committee in Washington D.C. on behalf
of Restoration. She helped draft the Tribal
Constitution on which we base all
operations of the Tribe today.
Pau lin e was a member of the
original pre-restoration Council formed in
1973 and served as a Siletz Tribal Council
m e m b e r for several years to the time of
Restoration in 1977 and beyond. While on
Council, Pau lin e served as a delegate and
secretary to the Affiliated Tribes of
Northwest Indians and as a delegate to the
National Congress of American Indians.
She promoted the Indian Way,
shared our culture, taught our culture,
nurtured our culture. In 1976, Pauline was
a m o n g those of our Tribe who danced,
spoke, and shared our culture in
Washington D.C. as part of the
Bicentennial. In 1973 she was instrumental
in organizing the first powwow held in 40
years in Siletz . Paulino initiated the idea
of a Siletz Tribal Court at our PowWows
and served as our Whipwoman through all
the years. She organized and advocated for
the Elders relentlessly and served on many
of our Tribal Committees.
From this year forward the Nesika
Illahee Pow Wow grounds will be known in
her honor as the "Pauline Ricks Memorial
Pow Wow Grounds".
"Amazing Grace" was sung by those
who congregated together to honor
Pauline, and that 's how we will remember
Pauline for she truly lived with Amazing
Grace.
(By: (Bev Owens
Thank You
The Families o f Pauline Ricks
(Ricks, Bells) would like to thank
everyone who provided comfort and
support for our families - all those who
sat with us in shifts during our night
and day vigil with Pauline in the
hospital in Portland; all those who
called to offer support and prayers,
who came by and who brought gifts of
i food; all those who sat up with us the
night before the funeral; all those who
sent beautiful flowers for her service
and who attended it in honor o f her;
all those who have sent their blessings
and good wishes in any form through
out this period o f grief and loss.
As a family we have pulled
together for strength but it is such a
blessing to have the extended family
that we have in the form o f our
numerous
cousins,
our
church
families, and our Tribe and community.
There is no way to thank
everyone individually for the out
pouring o f love, shared tears, prayers,
courage and strength offered to us
unconditionally throughout this time.
The loss o f Pauline from the family and
the community is a devastating blow
and our hearts are heavy; although the
realization that she is gone hits us
anew in many ways daily, we are still
struggling with the shock and reality of
life without her.
All of your continued love,
support, and prayers are greatly
appreciated.