Shirley Ann Pratt

Born in Portland, Oregon on July 29, 1930 to William Robert Houston and Sylvia Eleanor (Goskey) Houston and sister to Robert John Houston and William Robert Houston.

Shirley died at home in the care of her daughters on April 8, 2021.

Chosen Queen of the May in 8th grade she was always a good student, her favorite subjects were typing and shorthand. These skills led to her first job in the Administration Office of the Portland School District. While attending Oregon State she pledged the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Her Pi Phi friendships and support of Beaver athletics only grew and lasted a lifetime.

She married Elvin William “Bill” Pratt on May 31, 1952. Their number one priority was each other and their family. With Bill she planned family vacations to the coast and the mountains, birthday parties, and many joyful life celebrations. For her girls she was a grade school room mother, dance chaperone, Camp Fire Girls leader; but her favorite role was as a mother and grandmother, always supporting her daughters endeavors throughout her life.

Shirley has always been an active member of her church, serving as a Sunday school teacher at Saint Luke’s when the girls were young. Later she served many years on the Altar Guild at Saint Aiden’s. With a charitable heart, her and Bill worked in the local soup kitchen.

She enjoyed playing cards and for years played monthly pinochle games with friends who later became traveling companions. And travel she did! Her and Bill went on many tours of Europe and especially enjoyed cruising. We think they were most happy and relaxed in Hawaii and especially at Napali Surf on Maui in the company of Bill’s sister, Margie and her husband, Don.

No one would call Mom an outdoor girl yet so many good memories were shared around the campfires at Fort Stevens, Cultus Lake and Lost Lake. Often these adventures included Shirley and Joe Mastrandrea and their boys Jeff, Steven and Mark. And although Mom wasn’t big about straying too far from the campfire herself, she made sure we always had a good breakfast, lunch and dinner to fuel our adventures.

Shirley is survived by her daughters, Kathryn Goodwin (Allen), Jean Pratt, and Lynn Jones (Rick); her grandchildren Katie Goodwin, Jared Jones (Alisa), Colleen Tyler (Josh), Andy Goodwin (Amy), Abby Jones, and Matt Goodwin; and her great grandchildren Landon Jones, Helen Goodwin, Ameli Tyler, Vivian Goodwin, Siena Jones, Olly Tyler, and Margaret Goodwin.

Shirley said she hoped to live her life with the fun and joy of her Irish family and with the kindness and goodness of her Polish family. We believe she did. With love and joy, Shirley set an example throughout her life and will always be with us in our hearts.

Due to the COVID pandemic, service attendance is limited and by invitation only.

In lieu of floral contributions the family requests contributions may be made in Shirly Pratt's name to the Oregon Food Bank (www.oreogonfoodbank.org) or The Salavation Army (www.portland.salvationarmy.org)