Katherine Rose Cameron

Throughout her life, Kathie’s family took annual summer vacations to Victoria, BC, where her grandparents lived. Her paternal grandfather was an accomplished painter. He inspired her love of art, and she began painting there.

After graduating from Grant High School in Portland in 1948 she enrolled in a joint BA/BFA program with Reed College and the Museum Art School. The latter became the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA). She studied under William H. Givler, Rachael Griffin, Jack McLarty and Louis Bunce. Her thesis was in lithography. She earned her degree in painting in 1953. In January 2019, the PNCA hosted a retrospective exhibition of her works. It was the first time they had been shown together in an academic gallery.

Kathie taught art for a year at Shriners Hospital in Portland before moving to Grant High School. She taught there for the next thirty years. Her classes included drawing, painting, art history, calligraphy, silk screening, weaving, frame making, fashion design, glass mosaics, and more. She was devoted to her Grant students, including Sherrie Wolf, a now well-known artist, and the actress Sally Struthers.

Each year Kathie would screen print an original Christmas card, usually featuring her cat’s adventures. She was a lifelong and devoted student of Christian Science. She was a member of 8th Church of Christ, Scientist, and 1st Church of Christ, Scientist, in Portland, Oregon. She loved traveling and gardening.

Kathie passed away peacefully at home on September 26, 2024. She was 94 years young. Surviving her is Ricardo Rodriquez, her handyman and caregiver for over 20 years. He cared for her as devotedly and tenderly as any son. At her request, no services were held. She was buried beside her parents at Skyline Memorial Gardens. She will be missed.