Jolene Anne Segel

Written by: Jolene Banasco Segel

I was born March 23, 1938, the adopted daughter of Joseph and Dorothy Banasco of Plush, Oregon, population 36. My childhood in Plush was simply freedom and joy. When it was time to go to school my mother went to California, as did her mother before her, to see that I was educated.

Mom bought a home at the corner of McDaniel and Dana Street, in San Jose, California, across from the Rose Garden. The home was 2 blocks from my grade school, M.R. Trace, three blocks from my junior high school, Herbert Hoover Jr. High, and four blocks from my high school, Abraham Lincoln High School. From the day I entered 1st grade I loved school, the kids, the teachers, the joy of learning and the sheer fun of playing with my classmates. We would spend the school year in San Jose, California and summers in Plush, Oregon. How perfect was that!

When I graduated High School in 1956 I went to the University of Oregon. How I made such a memorable choice always brought a smile. I pledged Kappa Alpha Theta and majored in “activities”: Kwana, Phi Theta Upsilon, Homecoming Court, Oregana Business Manager, Student Senate. Upon graduation I taught World History and Speech at Sunset High School in Beaverton, Oregon. In 1963 Dan Segel (U of O class of ’59) and I met and married. We had two boys in quick succession, Dan in ’64 and Joe in ’65. Dan sold real estate and I stayed home with the boys and participated in my community. I served on the Oregon Ethics Commission appointed by Governor Victor Atiyeh (’85-’86), was the State Volunteer Coordinator for the Norma Paulus Sec. of State race in 1980. I was on the Board of Directors for the County Public Affairs Forum, the Willamette Valley Development Association, St. Mary’s Home for Boys, the Private Child Care Conference, and the Washington County Historical Society, and I was always active in my son’s local school committees at Cooper Mountain Elementary, Mountain View Jr. High and Aloha High School.

My biggest personal disappointment was a 40 vote loss in a Beaverton District 48 school board election. I think you can teach in a barn if you have a good teacher with high expectations and support from administrators. 20 years ago the dropout rate in the Beaverton School District was too high – nothing has changed. You can not let students slip through the cracks. Administrators, your job is to keep kids in school, teachers your job is to teach, students your job is to learn and parent’s, if you are not helping, get out of the way!

In 1985 my husband Dan Segel passed away and I was diagnosed with Lupus. My challenge was to find a 6 hour a day job to support myself that provided health insurance. The Pacific Northwest Grain & Feed Association became my employment home for the next thirteen years. During that time my son’s married the most wonderful women: Joe, Angela and Dan, Courtney. My most favorite fun role in life began. I became a Grandma to McKenna Renee Segel, Kaden Daniel Segel, Kellen Joseph Segel and Conor Thomas Segel. I could not have asked for better sons, daughter in laws or grandchildren. I will love you all forever and ever.

To my friends and extended family: Thank you all for your kindness throughout my life. I requested no funeral, no flowers. If you wish, make a contribution in both Dan’s and my name to the University of Oregon. In memory of Daniel Roseman Segel the Class of 1959 and Jolene Banasco Segel the Class of 1960.

University of Oregon Foundation

1720 East 13th Ave

Eugene, Or 97403