1916
2010
Mona Mae Adams, loving mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2010, surrounded by members of her family.
Mona was born in 1916 in Hammon, Oklahoma. Her father was a farmer, oil field worker, and owned a general store and trucking company. She married Walter Kauk and they relocated to Portland, Oregon in 1936. She had always wanted to come to Portland Oregon. When she was 12 years old, she read about Portland in her social studies book and astonished her teacher by saying she was going to live there some day. She and her husband Walt drove with her mother, Mona Gaither, in a Model A, loaded to the top. They were traveling over the mountains and were delighted to come to a clear stream, which they'd never seen before. They came into Portland on #99 and as they approached town, she said, "I'm home!" She always loved the natural beauty of the northwest and would praise the region to anyone who would listen.
She and Walter moved eventually to St. Johns and had two sons, LaMar and Larry. She helped run a service station/garage for several years. (They lived in a house that is a few blocks from where her grandson lives now.) She loved to sew and sewed all her own clothes in the latest fashion. She took a bookkeeping course so she could keep books for the garage.
In 1946 she married Albert Adams, to whom she was married for nearly 50 years. They moved to an acreage in Gresham, with berry fields on either side and a wooded hill behind. They had two more children, Beverly and Stan, and raised the four children "in the country". They also brought Donna into their family. Mona loved to garden and cook for her family and they had fruit trees and vegetable garden, tended by Albert and her sons. She also dabbled in oil painting and became certified to teach Chinese cooking; she taught 5 provinces of Chinese cooking at Mt. Hood Community College and taught many others, including Girl Scouts and student groups.
For a couple years, Mona and Al lived in Bend and eastern Oregon while Al installed electrical substations. Mona would drive around during the day and get to know the people and history and sights of the area, gathering new friends as she went.
In 1975 the couple moved to Honolulu, Hawaii for a couple years while Al worked on an electrical installation. They made new friends and had many delighted visitors. When they returned, they moved from Gresham to Beaverton, where Al made a beautiful home for them, complete with his rose garden and her vegetable garden.
They traveled in their retirement all over the country, going to nearly every state in the union, including visits to relatives in New York and their good friends in Alaska. They went on an RV tour in Mexico and took a trip to Australia.
After Albert's death, Mona continued to visit family in Louisville, Atlanta, the Seattle area and Hawaii. She always loved spending time at the family mountain cabin on the Breitenbush River, enjoying songs around the campfire, grandchildren and their friends and the river singing her to sleep.
Mona spent the last four years of her life as a resident of Maryville Nursing Home in Beaverton, where she made many friends and received loving care. She was always active and involved and liked having a voice in her community: she read a newspaper a day, clipping articles for others; she voted in every election; she read a novel every couple weeks; and she corresponded as long as she could with her friends and relatives. She was president of the Resident Council, which met regularly to address resident issues and concerns.
One day she picked up a Beaverton city newsletter from the lobby counter and took it back to her room to read; then she called the mayor's office and asked his assistant if she could have a copy mailed to her personally. The assistant took her information while Mona told her what a great job the mayor, Bob Drake, was doing and said she wished she could meet him. Within a couple days, the mayor's office had contacted Maryville and made arrangements for Mr. & Mrs. Drake to come for a visit, and he arrived two weeks later, flowers in hand, to have lunch with Mona. There was much mutual admiration and respect and it was the beginning of a very solid friendship,
Mona had a tremendous love of nature and was thrilled by beautiful scenery. She especially loved trees and leaves and said, "If I had to choose between flowers and trees, I'd choose trees every time." She taught her children to revere nature as well and they repaid her with gifts of jewelry made of stone and shell, hand painted watercolors, and photos of their gardens and beautiful scenes from their travels.
Mona encouraged everyone to "Think big!" and to follow their dreams. She had a notice on her bulletin board, "Don't be afraid to think big". (The Valley Times wrote an article about her and another resident and their belief that a positive approach to life kept them young.) She taught her children that they could be anything that they wanted to be, and they returned to tell her about their dreams and achievements for the rest of her life. Others were encouraged by her as well, as she offered motivation, nurturing, and guidance. One Mothers' Day she received a card from a woman who had just gotten her RN certification; she said she owed it to Mona because she had encouraged her to complete her training. She was thought of "as a mother" to many, who simply gratefully received her loving attention and care.
She had a strong faith and belief in the power of prayer. She taught her children and many others to believe that their prayers would be answered. If someone had a problem or concern, she encouraged them to pray about it and promised that she would pray for them as well. She told each one that they were a beloved child of God and had value and importance in this world.
She is survived by five children, LaMar Adams, Larry Adams, Beverly Staton, Stan Adams, and Donna Davidson; 15 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Services in her memory will be held on Friday, May 7th, 2:00 pm at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home in Gresham, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Maryville Nursing Home in Beaverton, Oregon.
Arrangements under the direction of Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, Gresham, OR.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
May 17, 2010
Beverly Staton
To Those I Love
If I should ever leave you whom I love
To go along the Silent Way, grieve not,
Nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk
Of me as if I were beside you there.
(I’d come—I’d come, could I but find a way!
But would not tears and grief be barriers?)
And when you hear a song or see a bird
I loved, please do not let the thought of me
Be sad…for I am loving you just as
I always have…You were so good to me!
There are so many things I wanted still
To do—so many things to say to you…
Remember that I did not fear…It was
Just leaving you that was so hard to face…
We cannot see beyond…But this I know:
I loved you so—‘twas heaven here with you!
~Isla Paschal Richardson
May 7, 2010
Diem Nguyen Buckner
Mark and I are so blessed to be "adopted" by Granny Mona. I am so glad to have gotten a chance to visit with her in March, when she gave me more wonderful advices to live by. She said to me, "If you remember anything from Granny, I want you to remember this: When you worry, ask yourself, 'Will my worry change anything?' If it won't, then don't worry about it". Granny Mona will always have a giant space in my heart. Mark and I will miss her greatly.
May 7, 2010
Basha Krasnoff
Mona's great spirit and deep love continue on in each of us. She has made this world a better place for having been here and I know that now she is off to experience the great wonders of the next. Via con dios, Mona.
May 6, 2010
Barb Ring
I loved Mona and Al just like gradparents. When Al died I was so sad. Mona was so strong and somehow I just new they would be together again. I know they are now. I have cut Monas hair for so many years now and I have the cutest memory. Al was playing Santa at the mall where I work. He used to bring candy canes to me and the other girls at my shop. He used to ask me if I could give him a better haircut and I told him of course I could.And so I started cutting his hair. Mona decided she better check me out and the next thing I knew, I was cutting her hair. I feel so lucky to have had them in my life. I will truly miss Mona, her beautiful curly hair and wonderful smile. I'm so glad I will still see Bev, lucky for me, I cut her hair too. Love to all the family, Barb
May 4, 2010
Jon Adams
Granni,
There are so many beautiful memories written on these pages. They are all true, I'm sure. I can hear you laughing when I tell you that my fondest memory of my times spent with you is... frozen grapes.
Be at peace and know that I love you,
Jon
May 4, 2010
I first met Mona and Al at their home in Gresham. I had dated Beverly for about three weeks and Bev said it was time to meet her folks. I will never forget how Mona instantly made me feel like I was one of her family. I thought I was special for that but would later learn that she made everybody she met feel that way. On my first visit we spent some time chatting and then she proceeded to show me some of the flowers in her yard. She could have shown me the roses or the hollyhocks or the daisies but instead she showed me only two very specific flowers. One was the Bridal Wreath and the other was Bachelor Button. I think she also mentioned that she thought the Bridal Wreath was a much nicer flower than the Bachelor Button. As usual, she was right.
As with so many others she instantly became a mom to me and for that I will forever be grateful to her. She would introduce me as her son, not a son-in-law. That was an honor and a testimony to my relationship with her. I always tried to treat her and care for her as I did my biological mother. She was indeed a special lady.
As time passed, for many people, including me, Mona gained a new identity. Instead of being known as Mona she became known as “Granni”. All of her grand kids called her Granni and all of their friends called her “Granni”. Many adult friends also called her “Granni”. And, she loved it. She was a “Granni” to many people who needed a Granni in their life whatever age they were. Whenever she would call our house I would answer and say “Hi Granni” and she would always say “Hi Son”. I would usually start the conversation by asking how she was doing and, as a way to highlight her usual optimistic sprit, I would ask how her soccer game went that day and she would always laugh. When she fell and broke her hip and had the pin installed I told her that once the other team heard about the pin in her hip they would probably forfeit the game rather that face somebody as tough as her. During her last stay in the hospital I told her that I told the team that she would be missing soccer practice for a few days but she would soon be back and as tough as ever. She laughed.
There are several phases of Granni’s life and my life that have connections besides my being married to her beautiful daughter. Granni was from Texas and Oklahoma and my biological mother was from Texas and Oklahoma. Al and Mona were married in Pocatello, Idaho, which is where I was born and raised. I often wonder if my parents ever met Al and Mona those many years ago in Texas, Oklahoma, or Pocatello. As a young boy I spent many hours in a movie theater that Al wired as an electrician. So Al and Mona were part of my life way before I officially met them and before Mona introduced me to Bridal Wreath.
I feel blessed to have had Mona/Granni as a mother and miss her deeply. As I am writing this I looked up at the shelf of books above our computer and the first book that caught my eye is a book titled “Simple Ways To Encourage Others”. I think she could have written that book because she encouraged so many people to think big and become the best they could be.
I love you Granni. The soccer team misses you.
Your son, Ralph
May 2, 2010
Cindi Morgan
I will always hold dear the memory of our time when you visited us in Johnson City, NY and I came to know my Aunt and Uncle. You are now reunited with Uncle Louie and happy again.
May 2, 2010
I came to the US from Germany as an immigrant in 1954 and our family settled in Gresham. I was in the fourth grade at the time and it was difficult to make all the cultural adjustments and to learn a new language.
My best friend was Beverly Stayton (Adams) and I was privileged to get to know her mother, Mona. She was always an inspiration to me. I did not know if I could go to college and she said, “You can do anything that you set your mind to and work for”. She also inspired me to be a better cook as she taught me to appreciate many kinds of foods, including Chinese food and many other ethnic foods which we did not have at home.
While I cannot take credit for being a “great person” I must give Mona credit for making me a “better person” in many subtle ways. She never treated me like a guest or friend of her daughters but always as a member of the family.
I will always remember Mona and she will be missed by me as well.
Gabriele Oscarson
April 30, 2010
Bev Staton
Strawberry Picnics
Tamara called me on my cell on our third day of our hospital vigil. (She had already been to visit Mom, as had Geoff and baby Kaya and Mom had had some good times with them.) Tamara asked if she and Kaya could come by. I said of course, but warned her that Mom was not really conscious and was “halfway home to Albert”. She said that she understood that, but that she wanted to come to support me, which I appreciated very much.
Ralph had been there with me, but for a period of time I had been alone with Mom, listening to the music she loved and sitting with her peacefully. When Tam and the baby came in, she put Kaya in the chair and took out a quart of fresh strawberries and the three of us sat there eating strawberries in the sunny window with the 9th floor view and loving the baby and talking about seeing Mom out. Kaya loved the strawberries and made us laugh and I thought, “Mom is loving this.” Tamara picked up Mom’s lifelong tradition of providing picnics and good times for her loved ones and carried it forward.
Kaya pointed to Mom and lovingly said her name and Tam told her she was sleeping. Tam bundled the baby back up and went over and told Mom that she loved her and told her goodbye. She hugged Ralph as he came back in the door and they went on their way.
Mom said (even put it in her will) that she did not want a funeral, but a happy celebration and for life to go joyfully on. This strawberry picnic was one of many steps in that direction.
Love you, Mama
Bev
April 29, 2010
Theresa White
Hey Bev. Julie told me about Granny. She was an amazing woman and has left a wonderful legacy in you and Julie, and everyone else she met. Thinking of you guys in this time. Love ya!
April 28, 2010
kumiko Horii
Mona was my american mother ,She was so spacial person in my life .She treated me as a special persson ,When My first Christmas in USA she called me saied 'You are my present from God this year"These words had so much meaning to me whom I dindn't like myself ..kumiko Horii
April 28, 2010
Kathy Adams
I lost a friend. I lost an encourager. Now who will listen to my "made-up" animal adventures? It's sad for me- the loss is mine, but for Mona it is just the beginning of the best adventure of all. For years she has asked to take this trip, to be with Al again, and to see the Lord face to face. How can I not celebrate her great faith and learn from it?
April 27, 2010
Holly Nicholson
The few times I was around Mona she always made me feel important. She would look you right in the eye and say something that would make you feel like you were special. She seemed to know that what a person needed.
April 27, 2010
Steve and Holly Nicholson
Our memories of Mona go back many years, and always Holly and I knew we were loved and welcome in her life. She was that way and we loved her for it. Rest in peace, Mona.
April 26, 2010
Jill Stark Watkins
Hi Aunt Bev & Uncle Eugene - Mona was a very lovely lady and it shows in you and Julie! Mom and I talked about her often, as we did of all of you. She was a beautiful spirit who left a smile on everyone's face and a warm spot in their heart. It was such a privilege to have gotten to know her. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Wish we were closer so we could give you a big hug!
April 25, 2010
Larry Jorgenson
Stan,
I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. In my memory, she will always be truely one-of-a-kind; a contender for my "most unforgetable character". I remember her as super smart, direct and no nonsence. In that respect, the world could do with a few more like her. We all have many sides and nuances of course, but my memories of Mona are of a strong, intelligent woman, ahead of her time, in many ways. And that's not always an easy path to negotiate. My condolences to you and Bev and the rest of the family. I wish I could be there to celebrate her life, but consider my fond memories as part of the spirit that surrounds.
April 25, 2010
Joyce Williams
I first met Mona and Al when my brother was marrying her beautiful daughter, Beverly. She invited us into her home and treated us like she didn't have anything else to do but make us feel at home. When my mother, Lil, was so ill she made sure we all took care of her properly and was concerned for our well being too. Mona and Al were such wonderful people. Mona made a special trip to see us when we lived in Utah. Her love and concern for all can be seen in her children and how they carry that tradition on for her. She was a wonderful mother for my brother and gave him a wonderful wife. We loved her and will miss her a lot.
April 23, 2010
Tamara Staton
Happy Birthday, Granni!
I thought of you a lot today, and over the past many days, as well. In reading all of these thoughts of all these people who hold you so dearly...and in looking at all those passionate pictures of you throughout your life...and in thinking of the few memories that I was able to share with you and take away to keep forever...I find that I am feeling a longing and sadness that I didn't get to spend more of my life with you. I feel ever so lucky, however, to have found one of your cherished grandsons, who is SO much of who he is because of you. Yet that fortune doesn't fill this feeling of longing that I have in this moment.
I feel like I've gotten to know you better over these past few days, through reading thoughts and memories of you written by others that I didn't really know about you. But when I hear them, it comes as little surprise because I see these attributes in Geoff everyday.
I love how you'd say what was on your mind--like how Geoff's and my children were going to be...midgets. =)
I love your passion for life.
I love that you continued to keep your mind strong right through until the beginning.
I love that you touched and cared for so many in your life.
I LOVE that you lived in St.Johns!
And I love you, Granni.
And miss you, too. I find myself wishing that I had been by your side with Kaya a lot more often than I was. But I smile knowing that you guys got to play and laugh and reach out to each other before you left. She will hear story after story about you as she grows, and you will continue to be an important part of her life.
Thank you, for who you are and have been. I will continue to feel your presence in the biggest of trees and the best of the boulders!
April 23, 2010
Stan Adams
April 23, 2010.
Happy Birthday Mom! Today you are 94. Remember when we celebrated your 90th birthday here at my house with your whole family surrounding you? I wish we could do it again. I miss calling you in the evening, to share the day's events. I miss describing each graphic detail of what ever I am doing. I miss hearing you paint a colored picture of your memories over the phone.
I miss you, more than I eveer thought I would. I have had so long to prepare. I miss telling you that I love you.
I love you.
Tell Dad that I tried to do what he asked.
April 22, 2010
Rodney Gaither
Mona Mae Adams,My lode stone and
beloved Aunt has ascended.
She has left me until I am called,
to the right direction.
I will be better forever because
of her Love!
Nephew,
Rodney Lynn Gaither
April 22, 2010
Rebecca Maertins
Mona, you created so much warmth and happiness in your lifetime. I hope your stories continue to get told and your love flourish strongly as ever.
April 20, 2010
Abbie Adams
It's hard to condense a lifetime of memories into a short summary that you feel is sufficient to convey the depth of feeling you have for someone you love. I had just recently paged through that particular memory bank, putting some of them into a letter to Granny a week or so before her accident, having had her on my mind for a while. Coincidence or not, my heart is a bit lighter having been able to share those things with her while I had the chance.
When I think of all the people in my life who have loved me unconditionally and without question, she has always been in the front of that list. There are so many memories of her love-the kind that cause that bittersweet warmth to swirl in your chest when recalled-that I will always carry with me, drawing comfort when needed and being thankful to her for providing them.
I love you Granny, and will miss you in my life, but you'll always be in my heart.
April 18, 2010
Mike Robinson
As it has been almost 45 yrs since I last saw Mona,my memories are,as a young boy,following my big sister to visit the Adams.Mona was always very sweet, and she seemed to enjoy having us around.My most vivid memory,was Mona showing me how to get a Filbert out of it's shell.
It was aparent in the photos, Mona enjoyed her life, surrounded by her beautiful family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
April 18, 2010
What a swirling cascade of thoughts here..
The most important thing is how Mom is feeling now.
She's with all her family that went before her and in great peace.
Everyone can imagine our folks walking hand in hand down to the river at the cabin
Just to sit and listen to that wonderful river.
Next thing is me. How did I end up the man I am?
Mainly, it was because of some things Mom taught me....
That I could become anything I wanted to be....
That I am a spiritual being living as a human and not a human trying to be a spiritual being.
That a thought can be the same as a prayer....
That we are what we think we are....
That prayer is required to change things and that, in fact, prayer does. So be very careful with prayer.
That God isn't necessarily found in church... God IS. God is everywhere and in everything.. Respect that.
Thanks Mom for the nurturing encouragement over all my years.
Thanks for your love.
Thanks for asking me if that was all the higher I could climb when you stepped out the back door that time when I was only ten feet from the top of that 120 foot fir tree and you were actually scared to death I would fall.
I love you, Larry
April 18, 2010
April 18, 2010
April 17, 2010
Paula Dobkins
Dear Granny -
My oldest memory of you was probably when I was about 4 years old. You were babysitting me and we were out in front of your house in Gresham picking roses. I remember vividly that we were picking a whole boquet of red roses and they smelled amazing. You were laughing and making sure that I smelled and enjoyed every single rose that we picked.
I clung to that memory over the years.
My daughter Carolyn was born 4 and a half years ago and you sent me a beautiful fleece baby blanket. It was a cream colored background and had red roses all over it. Carolyn still has it and sleeps with it at her daycare.
Was it coincidence? I doubt it. Was it God? Maybe. Was it you (because I never told you about that memory of mine)? I like to think that it was you; that you were speaking to me; that you were showing me the difference between what is real and what is not real.
Godsspead, wherever you are...where the only blanket you will ever need or have now is a blanket of peace that not only surrounds you, but becomes you. May you be part of It forever.
Love, Paula Jeanne
April 17, 2010
My first memory of Mona was her fantastic vegetable soup that she canned from all the vegetables she grew in her huge garden. She also made the very best fried potatoes. Stan and I would try to be the last in line so we could scoop up all that was left. There were also great trips to the cabin. Those trips meant everything to me even though my first trip there meant hiking to the cabin in the snow. In the last several years Mona has been a trooper, never complaining and being a great example and friend to the other residents at Maryville. She will be greatly missed. Love, Connie
April 17, 2010
April 17, 2010
Stan Adams
My mother's death was caused by a fall that left her with 5 broken ribs and a punctured lung. She couldn't cough but she was taken to periodic periods where she could neither speak nor talk for several moments. After one such bout she squeezed my hand. I bent down to listen to what she might be trying to say. She looked up at me and said, "Your geting a paunch!".
Looking at my stomach, I said "No, it's just my shirt."
"No," she said, "it's definately a gut."
Thanks Mom for always being there for me..... right to the end.
Love, Stan
April 17, 2010
Jenni Adams Spence
I will always remember Granni telling me to "Think Big" from the time I was a little girl. She was always a cheerleader in my life. She will be missed a lot but I think of her now, sitting in heaven with Grampi, watching over us all.
April 16, 2010
Irene Monson
Memories of your Mother's love will mean more as time goes by. As you keep your Mother's love in your heart, remember, too, you're surrounded by thoughts of support and caring today and in the days to come.
I will always remember how "Welcome" Mona always made me feel when I would enter her home. Your Mother will always be remembered by me as a very loving and giving person.
My Thoughts and Prayers are with all of you.
Irene
April 16, 2010
Jeanne Clawson
All of our family is holding you close in thought and prayer during this time of loss and change. It is never easy to say goodbye to those we love but knowing how much joy you brought to Mona must ease the pain.
April 16, 2010
I am just so sorry to read about your mom's passing. What a wonderful picture in the obituary. I will be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Terry.....and my mom, too!
April 16, 2010
The Staff of Bateman Carroll Funeral Home
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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