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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 27, 2017)
December 27, 2017 Page 7 Arts & Community Honor Emmanuel Temple invites the public to join them as they honor Mark Washington and his work in the community as publisher of the Portland Observer, Oregon’s old- est minority publication. The recognition will come during a special ceremony at the church, located at 1033 N. Summner St., on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. ENTERTAINMENT Mark Washington Obituary In Loving Memory Gracie Gage Kwanzaa is a yearly festival celebrating family, community and culture. Kwanzaa Events Fill Calendar Community events for the On Saturday, Dec. 30, the North a.m. to 12 p.m. There will be a sto- week long celebration of Kwan- Portland Library, 512 N. Killing- rytime, candle lighting with Joyce zaa, a celebration honoring Afri- sworth St., will hold a Kwanzaa Harris and family crafts. Light re- can heritage in African-American Family Celebration from 10:30 freshments will be provided. culture, will continue this week in Portland. You’re invited to engage with State Farm R neighbors,, family and friends during a candle lighting ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 28 at the Billy Webb Elks Lodge, 6 N. Tillamook St. Scheduled from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the celebration will include Agent dancing and food and is spon- sored by the Diverse and Empow- Providing Insurance ered Employees of Portland. and Financial Services On Friday, Dec. 29, the Umoja Center, 4951 N.E. 17th Ave., hosts a special Kwanzaa event from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nkenge Home Office, Bloomingon, Illinois 61710 Harmon Johnson of the Urban League of Portland will talk on the We are located at: importance of cultural traditions. 9713 S.W. Capitol, Portland, OR There will be music by Yugen Ra- shad and Paul Knauls Sr. will be 503-221-3050 • Fax 503-227-8757 honored as special guest. michael.harper.cuik@statefarm.com Michael E Harper Gracie Gage was born on Sept, 17th 1958, in Hart- ford, Conn. to Gracie and Alfred Gage. Her father considered her so precious that he called her “The Princess,” a nickname she wore proudly throughout her life. She was 2 years old when her mom and siblings moved to Portland, where she would go on to graduate from Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary and Jefferson High school. Her school friendships were lasting and many remained as “best friends” throughout her life. She had a natural talent for art. Her creative abilities were often expressed through her love of fashion. She would find fashion mate- rials and ideas at the “Goodwill” where she would take items and re- design them. She once said she wanted to star in a Goodwill fashion reality show and bring on folks for a role who treated her really nice. She possessed an entrepreneurial spirit, finding business opportu- nity in the simplest of endeavors. She maintained a small business that produced business cards, greeting cards and letter head. She was able to hire a part-time person to work with her, which she referred to as her staff. She spent a number of years working in the field of addiction re- covery. In the early 2000’s she went to work for Central City Con- cern, where she started as an entry level care facilitator and worked her way become a manager of care facilitators. Her upbeat and contagious personality touched all that knew her. To know Princess was to know optimism, joy and laughter. Though she had no biological children of her own, she had an incredible sense of “mother’s intuition” and would take care of most children that she met as though they were her own. She spent the final year of her life close to family, doing what she had come to love more than anything, watching old movies and cre- ating fashion ideas. She will be remembered for her incredible heart, wonderful sense of humor and love of her family. She was preceded in death by her mother Gracie Knapper, step father Willie Knapper, biological father Alfred Gage, and sister Ethel Lou Hudson. She is survived by her brothers Johnnie Alfred Gage and Johnnie Will Gage of Portland, sisters LaJoyce Polk of Atlan- ta; and Alfreda Richard, Arvette Davis and Dorothy Richardson, all of Portland; aunt Sarah Warren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of relatives and friends. Services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 1 p.m. at University Park Baptist Church, 4340 N. Lombard St. Advertise with diversity in The Portland Observer Call 503-288-0033 or email ads@portlandobserver.com