Helen Elizabeth "Skib" Strong

Helen Elizabeth "Skib" Strong was born on either April 2 or April 3, 1930, in Greeley, Nebraska, to Joseph and Nellie Donovan. The exact date is uncertain, as she was born at home and her father was unsure which day was correct. Although her birth certificate lists April 3, her family celebrated her birthday on April 2 to ensure both dates were honored. "Skib" was a nickname given to Helen at an early age by her father, and family and friends continued to call her by that name throughout her life.

Skib passed away on November 8, 2025, in Lake Oswego, Oregon, at the age of 95. She lived independently until the last six months of her life.

One of seven children, Skib graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Yakima, Washington, in 1948. She married Duane Johnson in the early 1950s. Their first child, a son, Michael, was born in 1956, followed by their daughter, Erin, in 1959.

Skib attended college, became a schoolteacher, and taught in the Morton School District in Washington until 1977. She continued her teaching career in Ridgefield, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, until her retirement in 1990. In retirement, she remained active -playing pinochle and spending her time both modeling and volunteering at the Albertina Kerr Center.

In 1977, Skib married Elbert K. (Al) Strong and moved to Portland, gaining four additional children.

Skib was preceded in death by her husband, Al, in 1991; her daughter, Erin, in 1996; and her son, Michael, in 2010. She was also preceded in death by her siblings Ed Donovan, Cary Hubbard, Jerry Donovan, and Paul Donovan.

She is survived by two of her sisters, Margaret Goodrich and Sr. Lenora Donovan, SP, both of Seattle, Washington. She is also survived by her children Donald Strong (Maradee), Karen Strong, Carol Brandt (Jim), and Joanie Spencer (Wayne); her grandchildren Kendra Lynch, Bethany Ahrens (Forrest), Stephanie Severson (Jordan), Emily Costello (Mike), Jack Spencer, Jillian Strong, and Geoffrey Strong; as well as many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Albertina Kerr in Portland, Oregon https://www.albertinakerr.org/.

Due to the sanctuary reconstruction project at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, the rosary will be held at 10:20 A.M., followed by a Catholic Mass and luncheon reception, at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, December 12, 2025, at Christ Church Episcopal Parish, 1060 Chandler Road, Lake Oswego, OR 97034. Interment will be held at a later date.

Skib's family extends a heartfelt thank you to Ninel and Angela Grogan, beloved caregivers, and to Providence Hospice for their tireless efforts in supporting Skib during her final days.