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