Lafyrne Pratt

On Dec. 23, 2022, our wonderful mother, LaFyrne Pratt, 94 years old, passed away in Portland, Oregon. LaFyrne was born in Armstrong, Missouri, on Oct. 12, 1928, the only child to Frank and Eva Gibb Showacy. From Missouri her family moved to Nebraska and then Colorado. When she was 14 they moved to Portland, Oregon.

LaFyrne graduated from Washington H.S. in 1945. She was a graduate of Willamette University majoring in psychology. She was a member of the Cap and Gown Honor Society, a senior scholar for Dr. Thicke in the psychology department, a member of Chi Omega sorority for which she served as president her senior year. She met her future husband, Gordon Pratt, while at Willamette U. They married and graduated on the same day, June 11, 1950.

They lived in Waldport and Sheridan and in 1956 moved to Heppner. Wanting a large family her first children were identical twins. While raising five kids LaFyrne was also a substitute elementary school teacher. In 1965 the family moved to Monmouth. LaFyrne earned her master’s degree at Oregon College of Education. She was the librarian and media specialist at Campus Elementary in Monmouth and Central School District until 1981. They moved to Venezuela in 1982 where she was a teacher and Gordon was the principal at a school for American children whose parents were building a dam on the Orinoco River. During school breaks they traveled throughout South America. In 1985, they returned to Oregon and lived at Salemtowne in Salem.

LaFyrne was an active community member serving on the Salemtowne board for two sessions, captain of the women’s golf team, president of the women’s club, in charge of the video library, compiled the scores for duplicate bridge and especially enjoyed being part of the Salemtowne singers. LaFyrne and Gordon welcomed their family for golf and many Christmases were spent at the Farm House in Salemtowne where everyone enjoyed shuffleboard, cornhole and singing carols. Family trips with grandkids were enjoyed in Colorado, Oregon coast, Europe and several cruises.

In 2018, LaFyrne left Salemtowne to live at Charbonneau in Wilsonville, Oregon. In the last four years of her life, she remained active, playing bridge, painting, traveling and organizing the Spring Ridge library. She was visited by family often and all loved her and Scampy, her furry companion of eight years.

She was an advocate for early childhood education and volunteered as a teacher for Family Building Blocks in Salem. She also gave to many animal organizations, most recently to Meow Village in Aurora.

A trip to NYC with her five children for her 80th birthday was a highlight for all. They toured historical sites, attended broadway shows, museums, and ate wonderful food. When she was 85 she went ziplining in Whistler, B.C. She remained active and curious, enjoyed learning, exploring and made new friends wherever she went.

LaFyrne is survived by five children, Kevan, Kent, Judi Warner, Terri Pickard and Jeff. 13 grandchildren, Tyson, Nathan, Justin, Travis, Troy Pickard, Nelson Warner, Diondra Gordon, Andrew Warner, Eric Pickard, Tara Maloney, Phillip Warner, Josh and Josie. 16 great grandchildren, Levi, Rollie, Miya, Joseph, Seth, Azee, Grayson Warner, Aurora, Ava Warner, Charlie Pickard, Annabelle Pickard, Bryce Maloney, Guy Pickard, Remy, Cooper Maloney and Kayla Maloney.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Pratt.