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Makayla Rachael "Kayla" Fortner
Makayla Rachael "Kayla" Fortner
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Makayla Fortner Obituary
Kayla's devotion to her family was profound. She leaves behind her daughters, Cynthia "CJ" Bess of Scappoose, and Teagan Dotson of Saint Helens, who will miss her deeply. She is survived by her loving mother, Jody Fortner of Scappoose, Oregon, and father, Lawrence Dornin Jr of Blairsville, Pennsylvania. She was a beloved sister to Zackary Gillett of Scappoose and step-brother Ryan Gillett of Saint Helens. Kayla also leaves behind her grandmothers, Judy Fortner of Ukiah, California, and Darlene Billeck of Blairsville, Pennsylvania, alongside her Nana, Susan Helderman, and Papa John of Milwaukie, Oregon. Her Uncle Brad Fortner and family of Woodland, Washington, Uncle Dustin Helderman and his family of Clackamas, Oregon, Uncle Daniel Fox and his girls of Ukiah, California, and Uncle Wesley and Aunt Hannah Fox of Lodi, California, along with many cousins, will hold her memory dear.
Kayla was preceded in death by her Papa Edward "Bud" Fortner, Grandpa Lawrence "Slim" Dornin, Uncle Edward "Buddy" Fortner, and Great-Grandma Linda "Scooter Grandma" Sharp, who welcomed her into heaven.
Educationally, Kayla attended McBride, Lewis and Clark, Yankton Arthur Academy, and Saint Helens Middle School. She later attended Saint Helens High School before moving to Blairsville-Saltsburg High School, graduating with the class of 2016.
A potluck-style Celebration of Life will be held in her honor at Trojan Park, Rainier, Oregon, on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 12 pm. This gathering will be a time for friends and family to reminisce and celebrate Kayla's life and the joy she brought to their lives.
The Columbia Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens in Saint Helens, Oregon, are assisting the family with arrangements. Their compassionate service during this difficult time is deeply appreciated by Kayla's family and friends.
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Susan Helderman
August 4, 2024
Susan Helderman
August 4, 2024
My first memory of Makayla was her birth and the joy of the one that made me a Nana!
My favorite memory of Makayla is when she was "helping" Papa Bud build the log house. She had seen him measure and mark the logs 100 times before. She took a pencil and marked the finished inside walls with an X. It took Jody and I hours to erase them all!
A special moment we shared was a trip to the beach! We went camping and got to horseback in the sand!
Makayla would make me laugh listening to all her boyfriend troubles when she was a teenager.
Something we did together often in her younger years was our Friday night dates. Papa Bud and I would pick her up on Friday after work and have pizza night! She would spend the night giving Mom a break. We played games and watched movies. Even as a young child Makayla was a night owl. She would outlast me watching a movie at night!
Something I will always remember about Makayla was her unique sense of fashion and her love to color her hair! The last conversation I had with her just two days before her passing was about how excited she was to color her hair red.
What I learned from Makayla was just how special the love is between a grandchild and a grandparent! There is nothing else like it! Thank you for so many wonderful memories. Love you forever and always. Go fly high in the clouds and catch a ride with Papa on the Harley!
Susan Helderman
August 4, 2024
Susan Helderman
August 4, 2024
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Susan Helderman
August 4, 2024
Susan Helderman
August 4, 2024
Susan Helderman
August 4, 2024
My first memory of Makayla was her birth. Her Mama and I played games and watched movies until the pushing phase. I got to cut the umbilical cord. Makayla was the first to make me a Nana at 30.
One of my fondest memories of Makayla was when she was "helping" Papa Bud to build the log house. She watched him countless times marking boards with a pencil to get the exact cut. She decided to do the same X marks on the completed installed logs. It took Jody and I hours to erase them!
A special moment I shared with Makayla was her high school. We all flew to Pennsylvania to watch her graduate. She had overcome quite a few obstacles in her young years and this was a proud Nana moment!
A time Makayla made me smile was when she was a teenager. We frequently messaged each other and she would tell me all able her boy troubles or what was the next hair color she was going to get.
A memorable shared experience with Makayla was a trip to the beach. She was with Papa John and I and we got to ride horses on the beach. She loved it!
Something Makayla and I enjoyed together was our Friday night dates when she was little. Friday night was always pizza night with Papa Bud and I. We would go back to the house and play games and watch a movie. She was always a night owl! Sometimes I would wake up at midnight or later and Makayla was still awake watching movies!! Shhh don´t tell Mom!
I learned from Makayla the power of a special love and bond between a grandmother and a grandchild. There is nothing like it! Precious!
You are missed sweet pea! I have no doubt you are with Papa in the clouds on a hell of a Harley ride.
Love forever
Zackary Gillett
July 21, 2024
I remember very well when me, makayla and my brother Ryan would play video games together when I was younger it was so fun playing video games with her
Sandra Sharp
July 21, 2024
May your family find peace and comfort in each other. Memories will help sustain you in your grief. She is with the Lord now. Rest in paradise, Makayla.
Darlene Billeck
July 20, 2024
Darlene Billeck
July 20, 2024
Darlene Billeck
July 20, 2024
Makayla is missed by her father and Grandma Darlene (Kotecki) Billeck here in Pennsylvania & so many others, family and freinds here. With love always
May you freed spirit fly high, Sweetheart
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