December 12, 2018
Page 15
Harris Photography
Obituary
503-730-1156
Your Home
Photo Sessions
$158.00
2-8x10 & 10-4x6
Cathy Galbraith of the Architectural Heritage Center on Southeast Grand Avenue where she served as
the founding Executive Director of the Bosco-Milligan Foundation since 1993.
antonioharris.com
Black Heritage Advocate Remembered
5010 NE 9th Ave
Portland, Or 97211
Phone: 503 284-2989
Catherine Mary Galbraith
passed away on Nov. 23, 2018
at Hopewell House hospice from
complications following a stroke.
During her final days, the many
messages from family and friends
were shared with her, she was vis-
ited by a brother from Pittsburgh,
and she was surrounded at her last
breath by friends who loved her.
Cathy was born Sept. 1, 1950
in Pittsburgh, Penn. to John and
Catherine (Stuparits) Galbraith.
She attended St. Augustine High
School, Pennsylvania State Uni-
versity for her Bachelor of Arts
degree in community develop-
ment, and did her graduate work
in urban planning at Portland State
University. She was also certified
in nonprofit organization manage-
ment and development at the Uni-
versity of Washington.
As planning director and then
director of development services
in Oregon City, from 1977 to
1986, Cathy’s responsibilities
were broad, but she was especially
noted for her work advocating for
the importance of historic places,
including co-writing the Canemah
Historic District nomination, de-
veloping the city’s historic pres-
ervation program, and planning
the End of the Oregon Trail Cen-
ter. In 1987, she moved to Seattle
to serve as the second executive
director of Historic Seattle. Her
impactful work there included the
successful acquisition, financing,
and rehabilitation of eight endan-
gered historic properties which
created 72 housing units, and
starting the annual lecture series.
The Belmont/Boylston Historic
We specialize in a variety of cuts for men and
women, hot towel razor shaves, braiding, hair
extension, Shampoo, blow dryer and Platinum fade.
Houses project she shepherded
resulted in 48 units of affordable
housing in Seattle’s first project
combining historic preservation
tax credits with low-income hous-
ing. The effort received the Na-
tional Mortgage Bankers Associ-
ation Multi-Family Project of the
Year, and an Honor Award from
the National Trust for Historic
Preservation.
She returned to Portland in 1993
to serve as the founding Executive
Director of the Bosco-Milligan
Foundation. In addition to ad-
ministrative responsibilities, she
managed the inventory of the or-
ganization’s extensive collection
of architectural artifacts, exhibit
and program development, and
rehabilitation of the historic 1883
West’s Block and its transforma-
tion into the Architectural Heri-
tage Center. The project received
a National Trust Honor Award in
2005.
Her nationally-recognized and
award-winning leadership in doc-
umenting historic places associat-
ed with Portland’s African Ameri-
can community was encapsulated
in Cornerstones of Community
– The Buildings of Portland’s Af-
rican American History, related
exhibits and public presentations,
and nominations to the National
Register of Historic Places.
In 2010, she was the second
recipient of the University of Ore-
gon’s prestigious George McMath
Award in Historic Preservation
which recognizes outstanding con-
tributions to the field from leaders
throughout the state. Cathy retired
from the AHC in 2016.
Her extensive and passionate
volunteer contributions in educa-
tion, advocacy, and planning in-
cluded leadership roles in many
organizations such as the Ore-
gon-California Trails Association,
Historic Preservation League of
Oregon (now Restore Oregon),
and innumerable city planning ef-
forts such as Portland’s Interstate
Corridor Urban Renewal Area.
Her personal advocacy efforts at
the national level in 1987 had a
direct effect on the National Park
Service’s decision to restore Cra-
ter Lake Lodge.
In 2007, Cathy wed jazz and
blues music icon James “Sweet
Baby James” Benton and made her
home in Scappoose. James passed
away in 2016. Cathy was also pre-
ceded in death by her parents and
her youngest brother Matt. She
is survived by her brothers John
(Marybeth), Roger (Lynn), sister-
in-law Janna Galbraith, as well
as nephews Alexander, John, and
Joe; nieces Jaycie King (Garrett),
Kelsey and Julia; grand-niece
Cora and grand-nephews Bryce
and Ellis.
A public Celebration of Life
and private graveside service will
be held at a later date.
Memorial donations can be
made to the Architectural Heritage
Center’s Cathy Galbraith Fund
or a preservation project of your
choice.
Cathy’s family and friends
want to acknowledge and thank
the staffs at Emanuel Hospital and
Hopewell House for the compas-
sionate care they provided. Ar-
rangements by Crown Memorial.
Stylist
Wanted
Call Today or Walk in !!!
I would like to thank the community
for putting their trust in me.
If you or someone you know needs a New or Used Vehicle
Contact Ken Scott
503-442-5089 (Direct)
55 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232
kscott@toyotaofportland.com
Advertise with diversity in
The Portland Observer
Call 503-288-0033
or email ads@portlandobserver.com