Obituary of Beatrice Jean Kelly Sternberg Kiersey

Extended Obituary of Beatrice Jean Kelly Sternberg Kiersey Beatrice Jean Kelly Sternberg Kiersey was born on April 18, 1917 in Portland, Oregon, to Benjamin George and Cora Olive Kelly. Her family's home, where she lived until she was married, was perched on a hill on McLoughlin Boulevard just south of the Ross Island Bridge. It overlooked the Willamette River and West Hills of Portland. When she was eight, she was joined by a brother, James E. Kelly. She attended Brooklyn Grammar School, graduating in January of 1931, and graduated from Washington High School in January 1935. Bea then pursued the field of business at Behnke-Walker Business College. Her career started at the Milwaukie-Powell Branch of U.S. National Bank, where she worked for 8 ½ years as a teller. During World War II, she worked as a file clerk for the law department of Union Pacific Railroad, and also volunteered at the Air Raid Warning Service and the Food Stamp Office. She later worked for the Oliphant & Bates Insurance Agency. From 1959 to 1968 Bea worked as a part-time secretary for the Portland Public School District at various elementary schools. Later she worked for the Portland Federation of Teachers and then the Oregon Federation of Teachers. She retired in June 1979. Bea met George Howard Sternberg in the church choir at Moreland Presbyterian Church and fell in love. They were married in August of 1947 in a ceremony at that church. They established a home in northeast Portland for 2 ½ years. During this time (1947-1950), Beatrice worked as a secretary for Tektronix, which was in its infancy stage. In 1950, Beatrice and Howard welcomed their first child, Barbara, into the world and their family. Eleven months later, Christopher came along, then Gayle and Donna completed their family – all within 5 years. They raised their family in a house on Southeast 15th and Carlton Street. They also opened their home to Howard's sister Margaret and Bea's Aunt "Nono" for many years when they needed a place to live. Many summers were delightfully spent in Astoria, Oregon, where Howard worked summers as an engineer on the Astoria-Megler ferries. Beatrice found the cooler summers there more suited to her liking. Beatrice was a stay-at-home mother for many years. She was active in the PTA of Llewellyn Elementary where her children attended. She also attended all of her children's programs. She exhibited a love of the English language, making sure that her children spoke it correctly. Beatrice never had idle hands. She enjoyed sewing and crocheting. She taught each of her daughters how to do both. Beatrice played piano wonderfully and was the accompanist for the Llewellyn School Mothers' Chorus. Loving music as she did, she would often sit down to play pieces by various composers, her favorites being Chopin and Grieg. Sometimes, Howard would join her on his clarinet, playing lively polka duets. Howard died suddenly and unexpectedly in April 1972. Between the years of 1972 and 1976, Beatrice volunteered one night a week at both Bess Kaiser Hospital and Oregon Health Sciences University gift shops. She also embraced various interests, taking several classes at Portland Community College, including a car maintenance course. In 1973 Beatrice started to drive twice a week for Loaves and Fishes Meals on Wheels Program, serving for 27 years. While volunteering there, another volunteer, Albert Kiersey, caught her eye. Devising a plan, Bea soon approached Al, telling him that she needed to purchase some new tires and asking him if he could recommend some. It was not long before she invited him to a volunteer's potluck dinner, promising him that she would provide the dish. After 4 months of courtship, they were married in January of 1976 at Oaks Pioneer Church, with a reception given by Loaves and Fishes at Moreland Presbyterian Church. In their married life, Bea and Al enjoyed traveling and were able to make many trips together, her favorite being a cruise to Alaska. Bea and Al began attending Moreland Presbyterian Church in the fall of 1976. Bea also volunteered at the church—in the library, choir room, caring for the church sanctuary for 20 years, serving as a Deacon, and helping with the Red Cross Bloodmobiles. Carrying on with her love of music, Bea enjoyed being a member of the hand bell choir at the church. Over the years, Bea's faith grew. She attended a bible study at the home of Mary Butler for 5 years and many classes put on by the church. Bea lived her faith and was always striving to learn and understand more about God. She was always there for her children, who were never too old to sit on her lap when they felt the need. She welcomed Al's children as her own. She was a very social being who loved to reach out to others, and could often be caught with the earring on her "phone" ear missing. Beatrice had a smile that would light up her face—light up the room, but which she did not like to have captured on camera, much to the chagrin of others. In 2009, Bea suffered a serious stroke which paralyzed one side of her body and her speech was silenced for 3 days. Through her faith, determination, and physical therapy, Bea worked her way back to being able to walk. She exercised her brain by reading the entire newspaper daily, including doing the daily word jumbles using a magnifying glass because of problems with her vision. She had to use a walker and sometimes a wheelchair. Despite this, she continued to give to others. Bea would reach out by the phone, loved to give hugs, listen and talk to all who were around, and never forgot to send birthday or other special cards. Even though writing became more and more difficult for her as her sight became worse, Bea would cut out and mail newspaper articles of interest, thoughtfully call to share a story with someone, and greet visitors with a smile. She encouraged and showed love to everyone she met. When these things became too difficult, she went home to be with the Lord God. Final thoughts were written by her son, Christopher Sternberg: Bea Kiersey aka Bea Sternberg A good woman, person and mother. Bore us four children and as a great mother…cared, raised and taught all to live a good life the best she could and she did! Through art, craft, music lessons she took us to have a more rewarding, satisfying life. She fed us, bathed us, dressed us, educated us as a dedicated good mother should. I'm greatful and blessed to have been bore and raised by her. Her memory shall remain and be handed down to other generations as that kind of person. My love and appreciation for her is forever! Her son…Chris Sternberg Service Information