Gwendolyn Ann Gerald

Gwen touched the hearts and minds of many during her decades of service in the teaching profession. She spent most of her career with Portland Public School District where she progressed professionally from elementary school teacher to principal – at the time, a position held by few black women in Portland Public Schools before her. She retired from the district in the 90s after serving as principal of Marysville Elementary School in southeast Portland.

In 1937, Gwen, age 3, moved to Portland with her family from Lincoln, Nebraska – Gwen’s birthplace -- due to the financial hardships of the Great Depression. Upon arriving, her parents lived and worked on a farm in Clackamas County, and later moved in with another family and into apartments, while saving money to eventually purchase a home in north Portland.

In 1952 Gwen graduated from Jefferson High School, where she enjoyed participating in the school’s choir and Philo social club, becoming the club’s first black member. Next, she obtained degrees in education from Portland State University (bachelor’s degree), Lewis and Clark College (master's degree) and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Portland Alumnae Chapter.

In addition to her passion for education, Gwen was an ardent supporter of Civil Rights and social justice. Her favorite pastimes included music, fitness, gardening, traveling, playing with her grandchildren and supporting her local library. In honor of generous support, Gwen was recognized as a Life Member of Cedar Mill Community Library Association in Washington County in 2012.

Gwen is preceded in death by her mother Eleanor Molden; her father Adelbert Molden; siblings Adele and Charlene; loving husband, William Gerald; ex-husband, Lawrence Caldwell; daughter Ann Marie Gerald; grandson, Craig Goulet-Caldwell; and stepdaughter Celeste. She is survived by sons Lawrence Edward Caldwell III and Kristen Del Caldwell; grandchildren, Jordan Caldwell, Trevor Caldwell and Kaden Caldwell; and step-children, Vicky, Michelle, Billy and Trudy.

A private burial service will be held at Lincoln Memorial Park & Funeral Home on Monday, Feb. 20, in Portland. In the coming weeks, the family is planning a separate memorial service in Portland, which will be open to friends, colleagues and family. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Oregon Public Broadcasting or Cedar Mill Library Association.