Maureen Pedone

MAUREEN PEDONE
May 4, 1942 ˜ February 11, 2025

Oldest of two children, Maureen was protective of her brother Richard--except when she became “Snake Woman,” slithering across the floor and under his bed, hissing softly and plinking at the box spring. Somehow, the two remained close throughout their lives.
Mom was creative and goofy, and it served her well while raising twin boys alone. She met Paul, her future husband of 53 years, in a Great Books class; the avid readers clicked, and they married in 1971. The new family followed Paul’s job across the country, added a son, and arrived in Vancouver in 1983. Maureen loved being a stay-at-home mom with a house full of kids, including her sons’ friends, and while she sometimes threatened to hang us by our thumbs from the ceiling fan, she never did. A sympathetic ear and source of sage advice (freely given, if not always heeded), Mom taught us to respect (but question) authority, and that everyone has intrinsic worth.
Telling stories at her youngest son’s school led to a decades-long career, beginning with co-founding the Portland Storytellers’ Guild in 1985. Later, she helped start the Kids First after-school program, where hundreds of children knew her as the “Story Lady” over the years. In addition to her work in schools, Maureen was known for her civic involvement. She helped revitalize her neighborhood association, and went on to serve on the Parks and Rec board.
Late in life, Maureen kept pursuing new interests. She had always hated flying, but braved the air to visit Ethiopia with one of her sons for a nonprofit wells-and-schools project. After that trip, she happily flew twice to Paris with her daughter-in-law and friends.
In February, she passed peacefully at home surrounded by family, survived by husband Paul, her sons Patrick, Gary, and Demian, and five grandchildren. She loved slapstick comedy, trebuchets, elephants, and peaches, and she had a fantastic, infectious laugh. We miss her greatly. A public memorial and Viking funeral will be at Vancouver Lake on May 18 at 6 p.m., and all who knew her are encouraged to attend.
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