Deirdre Paulino – By all accounts a wonderful person

Maybe it was good fortune that had Mary contact me through my cemetery photographywebsite. Or maybe it was that with some hard work in search engine optimization of the website. Either way, I got an email from Mary asking if I would be kind enough to visit Juniper Haven Cemetery in Prineville to photograph her mothers new headstone, since she couldn’t make it up from L.A. Mary had visited last year to see it, but there had been a mixup and it wasn’t there yet. She needed to make sure her mother was honored and well taken care of.

I told her I would be quite happy to do the legwork, and she even offered to cover my gas and a cup of coffee. It was a beautiful and hot day (just breaking 100 degrees) and for a trip to a cemetery; I’ve never had one so beautiful or inspiring.

Upon my arrival, I was lucky enough to have some seriously dramatic storm clouds billowing up in a clear, deep  blue sky.

I found Deirdre’s resting place immediately. It was right where her daughter Mary said it would be. However, it was currently inundated by the cemeteries sprinkler system. As nice as a cool splash is on a hot day, my camera equipment disagrees. (Even though it got more than one!)

These sprinklers however, create an interesting effect most of you are familiar with. But only when the sun is at just the right angle. (40 degrees, actually)

This was to the right of Deirdre’s marker by about fifteen feet. Directly in front of us not only were there huge storm clouds gathering, but the Air Force (I think) was doing something that took them by at a low altitude every twenty minutes on the mark.

So far I was watching the airforce fly around a storm with rainbows all over the place here on the ground. Just to make the day even better, to the left of where I was came a heard of deer, keeping themselves at a comfortable distance.

Flying overhead, aside from the airforce, was a stark white seagull. I got lucky with this shot.

When the sprinklers finally turned off, I was able to start getting some great shots of one of the most unique (and beautiful) headstones I have ever seen. Any concern Mary had for her mothers care was for not. The stone setters and cemetery have both done a beautiful job erecting one of the most fantastic headstones I’ve ever seen.

I never knew “Dee” or her family, but it seems that everything good I’ve heard about her has been carried on through her family.

The day was magical, and it was one of the best days I’ve ever spent in a cemetery. (Especially in the Pacific Northwest.) I will leave you with the obituary found on findagrave.com at Deirdre’s memorial page.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=30288345

 

Deirdre (Dee) Ann Coles Paulino, formerly of Prineville, passed away on July 28, 2008, after a heroic four-year battle with ovarian cancer.

She died peacefully at home surrounded by her cherished family, pets and beautiful garden in Encino, Calif.

Deirdre was born June 24, 1942, in Prineville.

She is the daughter of LaSelle and Iris Mae Coles.

She graduated from Crook County High School in 1960 and attended Oregon State University, and was a lifelong fan of Beaver football and basketball.

Her next move was to San Francisco where she married and gave birth to her beloved daughter, Mary Elizabeth.

Returning to Prineville, she helped care for her mother during a lengthy six-year illness while she and her former husband opened their first restaurant.

Following this, and with great pioneer spirit, she packed up her young daughter and moved to Los Angeles to begin the next chapter in her life.

Once in Los Angeles, she had tremendous professional success at ABC Television where she was employed as an executive chef.

Paulino rapidly worked her way into the corporate ranks, eventually rising to the position of vice president and assistant to the president of ABC Entertainment.

She then transferred to ABC Productions, serving as vice president of production, where she managed the physical production of television programs and mini-series.

In the world of Hollywood, she was widely admired for her calm ability and perspective.

Plus she was admired for her secret weapon, humor, which, almost always, would win the day.

Upon retirement from ABC, Deirdre realized a lifetime professional dream with her business partner, and together they started a landscape design company.

For the past eight years she enjoyed a successful career creating award-winning gardens in and around the Los Angeles area.

Deirdre’s own garden was the highlight of many a garden tour.

During this period, she devoted as much time and dedication as possible by serving on the board of The Children’s Cancer Research Fund.

She leaves her sister Mary Coles of Yakima, Wash.; daughter, Mary Paulino Melvin, son-in-law Marc, two grandchildren Taylor and Nicholas, all of Los Angeles; nieces Cristina Churchwell and Emelia Epperson and families.

Other survivors include: nephew Clayton Coles and family; niece Debbie Coles and their mother, Rosemary Coles.

In addition, she is survived by her many friends, former colleagues and business associates who cherished her wonderful humor, loyalty and love.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, at Juniper Haven Cemetery in Prineville.

She chose to be laid to rest by the side of her parents, her brother LaSelle, Jr. and her aunt Deirdre Williams.

A memorial service will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: The Children’s Cancer Research Fund (www.ccrf.org) and/or the Gilda Radner Ovarian Cancer Fund (www.gildasclubrochester.org).

Arrangements are in the care of the Prineville Funeral Home.

July 09 GYR Challenge: Find a Marker & The Obit

THE OLDEST PIONEER. DEATH OF JAMES TERWILLIGER WHO CAME TO PORTLAND IN 1845.

James Terwilliger b.1809
Portland, Oregon

JAMES TERWILLIGER is dead. The oldest pioneer citizen of Portland passed away peacefully at his residence, in this city, yesterday. At his age of 84 years he was until yesterday the only person living here who has had the pleasure of watching the progress this city has made since the first house on the banks of the Willamette river at this point, was erected. JAMES TERWILLIGER built that house-if it might be called such, for in reality it was but a log cabin. It was in the autumn of 1845. He had crossed the plains from Illinois, and being 36 years of age, strong and hearty, was able to withstand the hardships that proved fatal to many of the ambitious ones who undertook such a journey.

Arriving on the coast, he found the most likely spot for a residence on the banks of the Willamette, where he, with the assistance of the crew from the vessel Toulon, which had made its way up here, put up his cabin. He shortly afterwards started a blacksmith shop, and for a few years was engaged in welding and hammering.

In the spring of 1848 he married a widow, Mrs. Philinda Green, and they some time afterward took up a donation claim of 630 acres near this city. They had two children Mary, who died at the age of 12 years and Julia Viola, who is now the wife of T.M. Richardson, a prominent capitalist of this city.
On October 19, 1873, Mrs Terwilliger died, and her husband has since that time lived at the old home, highly respected and honored. His name has been brought into considerable prominence lately in connection with the Green vs. Terwilliger will case, which was decided in favor of the plaintiff by Judge Hawley in the United States court last Monday.

There is only one man now living who came to Portland at as early date as Mr. Terwilliger, and he is Benjamin Stark, who now resides in New London, Conn. Captain G.H. Flanders is the next oldest pioneer, he having arrived in
1849.

Arrangements for the funeral have not yet made, but will be largely attended by friends, who have always held the old pioneer in the highest esteem.

Source:
19th Century U.S. Newspapers. This obituary published in:
Portland, Oregon
September 02, 1892
Page 8;issue 10,050; column B
Category: News
Headline: The oldest pioneer Death of James Terwilliger, who came to Portland in 1845